Dream a little dream.
Dear Mommies,
So much to
look forward to this year. I’m sure you're looking forward to your children’s
milestones, birthdays, first words, first steps, school step up days and lots of other “Firsts.”
But what
about you? I’m not talking about resolutions, which are in Mary Poppins
words, “pie crust promises: easily made, easily broken.” The problem
with resolutions is that they tend to focus on the negative—things
we want to fix in our lives (e.g., lose weight). Or they are too
ambiguous (e.g., I will be kinder to my mother-in-law).
I’m talking about your dreams.
Will this
be the year you take up a cooking class, learn to speak French, travel
to Seattle, knit an infinity scarf, decorate your bedroom--bottom to
top, buy a big ticket item (not replacing something that’s
broken), or start your own blog?
Dreams are
different from resolutions or goals because dreams are held in our
heart. They touch on our deepest desires. Fulfilling your dreams—big and
small—requires planning and work. And sometimes saving
your pennies.
Making your dreams is as hard as being a mommy. Here’s why:
1.
Nothing in a mommy’s
life remains still for very long. Time is an friend and a foe. You want
your babies to stay little and sweet. But gosh, won’t it be great when
they’re out of diapers? Enjoy the
journey to your dream. You can start a dream journal.
2.
In the process of
making your dreams come true, you see them in the light of day. The
flaws, the faults, the warts. You do your best to correct them. But
sometimes the dream turns downright ugly.
Give it a time out and then come back to it. You’ll both benefit from a
breather. And you can always modify a dream.
3.
There are doubts and
side effects. Once you begin to fulfil a dream, it’s hard to tell where
it will lead and what the impact will be on your life. This is a little
scary. But your litmus test question
should be: Will my dream make me a better person? If yes, go for it.
Even if it’s something as intangible as just being a happier person
because you travelled to your dream destination.
No matter
what, dreams are worth having and following. You should also teach your
children to have some dreams. A child who dreams is on the path to a
brilliant imagination.
Relax, Mommies, you’ve got this.
