Don’t Stop Dreaming

The other day I thought “I am almost to the point where I won’t have to focus on weight loss.  What will I do then?  I’ve been in the weight-losing business for so long that, once it’s over, I won’t know what to do with my life.”  Being The Princess Bride fan that I am, my next thought naturally was “Have you ever considered pirating?  You’d make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts”.

Though I don’t think I will take up pirating any time soon, I did start thinking about what I can do with my life.  The answer – anything I can dream of doing!  That is, if I have the courage to work towards my dreams.

Dreams Vs. Goals

To me, there is a small difference between a dream and a goal: work.  Everyone can sit down and dream.  But it’s when you your dream also becomes a goal that things begin to happen.  For example, everyone has their “dream home.”  Mine would include a big kitchen with a dishwasher, a dining room, and a big yard that I could landscape and have my kids run around in.  For now, it is still a dream.  But once I start saving money for a down payment, then my dream has also become a goal.

Don’t Stop Dreaming

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney

When I think of dreams, I  think of a conversation between Flynn and Rapunzel in the movie Tangled.  Rapunzel is about to fulfill of her lifelong dream of seeing “the floating lights,” but Flynn can tell there is something wrong.

Rapunzel: What if it’s not everything I dreamed it would be?

Flynn: It will be.

Rapunzel: And what if it is?  What do I do then?

Flynn: Well that’s the good part, I guess.  You get to go find a new dream.

Just because I may have a dream come true doesn’t mean I quit dreaming or making goals.  There will always be room for improvement in everyone!  Once I reached my goal of running a 10K, I started dreaming of a half marathon, triathalon, etc.  Once I’ve completed those, I can always improve my time or have the goal to run in a different race.  People can always have goals to bike longer, lift a heavier weight, or even score more points on a Wii Fit game.  You just need to keep coming up with new ways to improve.

Dreams and goals aren’t only physical.   Who doesn’t dream of being a better person physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually? You just need to set goals to help you reach that dream.    Be kinder to those around you.  Spend more time with your family.  Make a new friend.  Give service to someone in need.  Dream about the person you want to be, or the life you want to have, and work towards achieving that dream!

Take A Chance

Rapunzel could have lived the rest of her life in a tower watching the “floating lights.”  However, it wasn’t until she overcame her fears,  jumped out of her tower, and made her way towards her dream that her journey began.

Don’t be afraid to take a shot at your dreams.  You may miss, and your dreams may just barely be realized.  But you’ll never know unless you take a chance and put in some effort.

So don’t stop dreaming, and don’t stop working towards those dreams.