Last updated on April 1st, 2012 at 02:36 pm
Few celebrations are more gratifying than those centered on accomplishment and shared good times with people we love.
Saturday the dreamers took a break and celebrated our birthdays.
Thus we had a party even though I don’t turn 50 until July 4th – now there’s a millstone!
In this 50th year of my time on this earth, I am out to prove it’s never to late to begin working your dreams.
I am tired of hearing people less than 80 years of age say, “I’m old!” In May 2007 a 95 year-old Nola Ochs graduated from college with a history degree, making her the world’s oldest college graduate.
Do you think she sits around bemoaning her age? No! I heard a rumor she has since gone on to obtain her Masters Degree.
Old is just an excuse not to do what you should be doing to change your life. You have to be willing to question where you are – no matter your age – and do something to initiate change.
At yesterday’s birthday party, a local real estate agent (over the age of 40) wanted to know the process we used in discovering our dreams. I asked her, “If you were to tell me to meet you in a local bookstore, and we did not designate a place, where would I naturally find you?”
“In the outdoor section – I love the outdoors!”
“Then that’s the place we would begin to look for your dream.”
“Really?”
It’s really that easy, but problems can begin when we use this knowledge to get all twisted up in how to make a living at it, how to find time for it, or stressing about how we ignore it.
She was willing just to explore the idea that her greatest dream might be hidden in a section of a local bookstore.
And this is where we gently begin the process of dreaming.
While we continued discussing her possible dream life, it dawned on me that this current 8 women dream group is the most effective, cohesive group of women since 8 Women Dream began in 2008.
She was pressing to understand the secret to our success.
The current 8 women accept the dream process and allow it to take us wherever it wishes. We are willing to let go of preconceived beliefs of how dreaming should look and go with the flow.
I have noticed the following about these dreamers, they –
1. Have faith – The belief that what we desire, no matter how impossible it may seem to be at this moment, is possible.
2. Are patient – Dream success can be a slow, steady progression, a gradual momentum upward from one milestone to another. This can take longer than we want.
3. Do the hard work – The willingness to eat, sleep and drink our dreams, showing up every week to post on 8 Women Dream – unwavering in our commitment to our dream no matter how tired we are or what our current situation is.
4. Are persistent – The ability to strive, learn and persist. Mistakes are not mistakes until we see them as sign to stop. And when we have made mistakes, be willing to change – do whatever it takes to correct our dream course and move on.
5. Become adaptable – The ability to be patient while trying, failing, observing and trying again. This is the life-cycle of dreaming. We act with faith and try again and again. We are willing to listen to feedback without resentment and grow.
6. Live with temporary failure – Mistakes are always made before success is possible. We accept this and move on.
7. Love the dream process – We love what we are doing. We use this love in igniting the enduring qualities of faith, patience, hard work, persistence, adaptability, and living with our failures.
8. Celebrate milestones – Every 6 – 8 weeks we get together and acknowledge (honestly) where we are with our dreams, while accepting feedback and making commitments to complete new action steps towards our dreams.
My favorite step is the celebrating step. These are the moments we get together over good food, beverages, laughter and share a bit more of who we are. Having a tribe help you dream can make all the difference in the world.
I love dreaming with these women and I invite you to do the same.
So share with us what step are you taking this week to make way for your dream. . .
And when you’ve completed it, I highly recommend a celebration of some sort to recognize your milestones.
With cake.
Catherine
Catherine’s dream is to be a motivator and published writer. She is testing her theories on motivation with this blog and the seven other women who have volunteered to be a part of her dream project. Catherine also writes about her life as a mom at the blog A Week In The Life Of A Redhead. Someday, she would also like to be invited to speak at TED as the next Erma Bombeck. Catherine posts Sunday nights.
Catherine Hughes is the founder, content director and editor-at-large of 8WomenDream. She is passionate about helping women step out of their own way and strike out into a world waiting for their special talents. She’s a published author and a former award-winning mom blogger. Catherine has helped companies both large and small create engaging web content, social media narratives, and unique blogging platforms. She claims to be a redhead, but don’t hold that against her.
Note: Articles by Catherine may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.
