Dreaming In Real Life

How can I keep dreaming when life already feels really full? I learned from a guy with 33 separate projects on his white board. In yesterday’s episode of the Awesome Marriage Podcast, Bob Goff dropped some wisdom nuggets that will stick with me. 

Growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, we were told that we could be anything we want to be. Which is awesome in a lot of ways, but super confusing if, like me, you wanted to be 8 things at once! I wanted to be a teacher, archaeologist, children’s book author and illustrator, rock star, doll house designer, veterinarian and Olympian, all while saving the whales, DAREing to stay off drugs, and Reducing, Reusing & Recycling! 

I can easily get bogged down in ideas that I don’t actually act on. Trying to make a perfect plan for how to live my life well can really get in the way of actually living well!

This is why Bob’s wisdom was so profound as he encouraged us to become more curious. If you give the episode a listen I am willing to bet you’ll be sold on the power of curiosity too! He spelled out a really simple way to get more curious and more purposeful in life. 

Start by writing a list of your relationships, work, roles and projects. Now take a little time to consider each thing you listed. Ask, “What is something that only I can uniquely bring to this?” Then write down what you discover.  

I can get paralyzed thinking of dreams abandoned, or trying to figure out the best path from one season of life to the next. But I tried this system. I took an overview of what was already happening, and where I can move forward within those roles and responsibilities, and I found a fresh sense of wonder right where I am. Not new, unattainable ideas I can’t implement, but a sense of curiosity and fresh perspective for the things that are already important to me. 

I’ll leave you with one final thought: “If there’s something that resonates with you, you don’t want to just agree, you want to do something with it. That’s where it gets good!” - Bob Goff 

So tell us, friends, what dream will you pursue? What will you DO today?!