What Do You Want?

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Part of the reason I decided to write this blog was because I have a tendency to be very hard on myself, and, at times, rather than being captain of my own soul, I am architect of my own hardship. I realize that I bring myself down, by my feelings of lack - lack of talent, lack of confidence, lack of trust, lack of faith.

And yet, I know that I'm talented. Talented, accomplished people I am blessed to know have told me so. So why is it so hard for me to believe it? (Goodness knows, and truly, that's a post for another day.) My point isn't that I need to figure this out, my point is that I need to get over it.

At heart, my feelings of lack stem from fear. 'What if I'm really not good enough?' 'What if I don't get the right editor?' Or, worse, because this comes from the smallest part of my soul, 'I know I'm a better writer than she is!'

Thankfully, these negative emotions are fewer and farther between, because I have realized how self-defeating they are, and I try to nip them in the bud, rather than dwell in them, or let them linger. (Though I am human, and I do have my moments.)

Affirmations, visualization, and journaling work for me - and the more I use them, the better they work. I do have faith. I have faith in my talent, in my hard work, in my circle of friends who are writing their own books, setting their own goals, following their own dreams.

I also have faith in this endeavor. I believe that it is an opportunity to explore my own interests and inspirations, and that by sharing them, a larger audience can benefit. I hope so.

2010, Begin Again. Through my writing, my relationships, my interest, my intention and my action, I am changing my life this year. I hope you decide to join me, and spend a little time contemplating what changing your life looks like.

If this is something you'd like to explore, then here are a few suggestion:

Journal ~ Some possible questions:

* What do I think of when I say to myself, 'my dream life'?

* What does success mean to me? (a lake house? a Mercedes? early retirement?)

* Am I fulfilled?
If yes (congratulations!), are there interests I'd nonetheless like to pursue?
If no, what changes do I think I can make to get closer?
~ Think baby, not drastic, steps. Chances are you can't quit your job tomorrow.

Dream Boarding ~ Get some posterboard, scissors, a glue stick and a big pile of magazines. Cut and paste pictures of things you'd like to see in your life, as a visual reminder of (and inspiration for) your dreams.

Meditation/Visualizing ~ Take a few quiet minutes (preferably every day) to close your eyes and allow your mind to explore what your dream life looks like. This can be as simple as a new dining room table or as grand as accepting an Academy Award. Whatever the dream, just be comfortable with it and see yourself 'there'. If it's a new dining room, know what you want. Oval or rectangular? Walnut or Oak? Legs or pedestal? If it's accepting an Academy Award, see yourself in front of the microphone on the stage of the Grand Pavillion, looking down at the people in the first row. (Who do you see there? Jack Nicholson? Make it real. Fill in the blanks - or the seats!) Have fun with this.

These are some simple fun ways to get started on what may be a new path for you. It's as much about the journey as it is the destination.

Happy dreams!