Even forgotten dreams can be fulfilled
Sep 8th, 2008 by spaceagesage
Sitting at the controls of a steam engine locomotive in the Rocky Mountains this weekend, my husband Greg shows the joy of a childhood dream come true. Sure it was just for a moment in a stationary train, but the engineer allowed him to sound the steam whistle four times, too.
I remember visiting a firehouse as young girl, and when I saw that fire pole coming down from the second story, the colorful fire engines, and the cool-looking head gear, I thought I’d like to be a “fireman.” In my early years, a female firefighter was laughable, so I never pursued the dream. Not until a crazy moment in my forties did I end up joining my local volunteer fire department. The experience was an honor and a privilege for almost two years. Here I am grinning happily while sweating like crazy in a HAZMAT suit during a county-wide disaster drill.
Notice a similar smile on both our faces? When a dream is fulfilled, the heart comes alive with a special energy and a priceless sense completion.
- Are there dreams you let go early in life because education, work, or marriage seemed to interrupt you?
- What wish list from childhood still calls to you from under the layers of adulthood responsibility?
- Why not bring them out, dust them off, and see where revitalizing them might take you?
It could be that taking a new look at an old dream will make you realize some or all of it can now come true. Go ahead — live life a bit bigger, more fully, and filled with smiles from finally making those dreams a reality.
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(Lest you wonder, that is not a long sleeved t-shirt advertising a beer, it is a spoof shirt touting Aspen, Colorado as the “King of Ski Towns.”)
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These posts may also interest you:
‘Building Confidence by Overcoming Insecurity’ — the series overview
Sunset isn’t the end, but the beginning
In the eye of the beholder …
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Living our dreams is what makes us truely feel alive. I have all kinds of dreams that I slowly bring towards fulfillment every day. I have also been reminded lately of the importance of enjoying the journey as well as the destination.
Great blog, keep it up!
Steve
It’s so nice to read that you fulfilled a childhood dream. Your husband also had a lovely smile on, even if the steam engine locomotive was stationary.
I’m not so sure that it would be possible to revive my long forgotten dreams though. Age is one major deterrent. Also, I’m happy with how my life is right now, even if the course has been different.
Hi, Steve —
Welcome and thanks for commenting. I agree with you about the value of the journey. The journey to fulfilled dreams can make for quite a story!
Hi, Evelyn —
I’m happy you have arrived at a good place in life. It is true age can deter the completion of some dreams – my mother never got her oft-dreamed of horse ranch — but as Steve writes, sometimes the journey to exploring them can be rewarding, too.
Actually, my childhood dream was to be a mom. Really! And I was, and am. My relationship with my children has changed now that they are in their 20s, and we are more friends, but when they need comfort and advice, I’m still mom. But what is at the core of that dream? It is to nurture. My children don’t need that nurturing quite as much, but I now find myself nurturing a fantastic relationship with the Lion AND have the honour of indulging my passion for writing while hopefully nurturing a community of readers and fellow bloggers.
Hey! This was nice feel good response for a dreary rainy day! *smile*
Hi, Urban Panther–
Yes, sometimes the dream is part of a longing, and the dream can change to fit the longing. I wanted to be and do many things, but at my core, part of me always felt the desire to teach.
Thanks for the upbeat response, even with a rainy day!
“When a dream is fulfilled, the heart comes alive . . .” This is SO very true!
I dreamed of being a ballerina and even got on point before my parents made me stop dancing and take piano lessons, which I hated.
Fast forward to 2000, I took an Adult Ed class in lindy hop and have been dancing again ever since! Loving every minute of dancing and the wonderful music we dance to! I was even on a Swing Team and performed and competed through it. I don’t compete any longer, but I still perform from time-to-time. I will never stop dancing ever again — my vow to myself. At some point, I’ll probably have to slow down and switch to ballroom, but I won’t ever stop.
Hi, Linda —
You are so inspiring! What a way to ‘come alive!’
I love Linda’s comment.
I took a few moments to think about it, and I have to say that I don’t really have any unfulfilled dreams. But I absolutely agree that as long as we’re alive, it’s never too late to make a dream come true.
Hi, Vered —
What?! You don’t want to feel the weightlessness of space, meet an alien, or sky dive? Oh wait — those are some of my dreams …
Hi – I had to laugh, because I grew up in a steam enthusiast family – I can understand the steam engine thing!
And even doing a little bit towards our dreams can really help us, as adults. It might not look quite like what we imagined, but something shifts and it expands us, I think!
Hi, Robin —
I grew up around train tracks — one went through the family farm — so I don’t have quite the enthusiasm, but I was enthused to see my husband having so much fun and interacting with the engineers. His dream helped make everyone’s day.