On the way to your Dream You might find a better one*
As lots of little ones start their first full week of school or move up a year the feelings of of achievement and ambition will subtly be introduced to them.
Every child whether they understand it yet or not, has inherent desires and dreams which with the right encouragement and support they will go on to fulfil.
Their instinctive response of knowing what subjects they like to do, those they have a natural aptitude for and those they have to work harder at will all start to become apparent.
My nieces and nephew have already told me their ambitions and I love hearing about their desires. My middle niece who last year was adamant she wasn’t going to get married is now more interested in having a boyfriend. She’s 8! But she also has other goals – great ones and I cannot wait to see her and her siblings achieve them and more.
As we mix and grow the circles we move in, our ideals and aspirations can become blurred. Afraid of standing out, many of us seek to join the crowd and be part of a community. It’s a inbuilt survival mechanism and it makes sense. How many of us want to earn six figures, own our own house, have the mortgage paid off by a certain age but is this really going to give us great joy and give joy to others? How much fun are we having on the journey to achievement? What are our real core desired feelings (a la Danielle LaPorte) that are driving these goals?
Having time to contemplate and return to our own real passions is vital. To feel safe to express our desires and follow our truth path and hearts desire. To be our authentic and true self. Whatever that may look like.
I do not profess to knowing enough about our education system to comment on our overall curriculum but I do believe in the benefits of mindfulness and was very interested to read about The Mindfulness in Schools Project – for the flourishing of young minds. I love the idea of young mind flourishing!
Ambition is not always seen as a positive trait to possess but when we replace the word with strong desire or dream it somehow sits easier. I believe the way to a happier planet is if we follow our ambition/dream/desire (chose as appropriate) with the caveat that your dreams are not detrimental or damaging to others and that when you think of achieving said desire you automatically feel expansive and never contracted.
As our next generation begin their steps to both expansion and some contraction as they invariably have to “fit in” with their classmates and the curriculum I hope there is space to dream and as a parent you also find the space for your dreams and lead by example. Don’t limit yourself to the dreams you had last month or last year or five years ago. Go with what feels good today from your current place of growth and expansion.
I am currently re-discovering my dreams and building on them. Remembering long ago desires such as opening my own spa and retreat in Bali and writing my book. It was the feeling of space and light I yearned for. And the sense of adventure. Passing on knowledge and creating a greater sense of calm with joy.
I have decided to stop filtering and looking to join all the dots. Instead I am letting my mind wander and expand and looking to the universal Law of Attraction for support. I am open and ready to see what manifests and giving myself the space to really imagine. It feels liberating. Life feels exciting with boundless possibilities.
Give it a try. I’d love to know some of your dreams.
*Thank you to Sally Canning for sharing this beautiful quote.