When Dreams Feel Far Away: 3 Thoughts that Might Bring them Closer

Follow your dreams. Sure, that sounds great. But how?

Moving toward my dreams is exciting. It is also messy, confusing, and exhausting. The big moments of my life are held together by small steps, choosing to turn into pain and uncertainty instead of away from it. Two years ago, at nearly forty, with 3 kids and a business, I started a masters degree in counselling. This is a dream I have had for the past 15 years, now is definitely not the best time, however I finally am able to follow through. I know there is so much privilege in my ability to choose to do this, many people in my position could never dream of this option.

Why now? My work at MLab has tricky moments even with the most aligned and motivated clients and I was looking for some training to help me offer more to my clients. To be honest, I was in a bit of a rut when I applied, applying for the program was a goal for that quarter and that quarter was ending. I applied to check a box, not because I was feeling particularly motivated. At that moment, I was not even sure that I was the kind of person that would make an effective therapist. However, I had become comitted to following through on the promises I made to myself; also I trusted the motivation and intention of the girl who set these goals for me (me😘). I decided to stop questioning my own worth and that was the difference. Instead I asked myself another question, 'could this training help me serve my clients better?". I pressed submit with my eyes closed.

Here are three thoughts that help me get through the tough times:

1. Susan David said it well "discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life". To say that doing this program has been a stretch for me is an understatement, and I am not done. Even with unfailing support from my husband and family, there have been real moments where I have wanted to give up; times when the emotional, financial, and cognitive costs are too much. But guess what? I have not given up. And I am a different person because of this educational journey, each day I have glimmers of growth and confidence that are worth the toll. I am experiencing a deeper acceptance of myself and others, a reflection of the degree content but also the meaning and accomplishment of working through a hard thing.
   

2. Earl Nightengale said “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway”.  The time is going to pass and it is going to pass quickly, your dream may be hard but it will also take you on an adventure. When my fear/scarcity mindset is disengaged, I can see all the positives this educational journey has afforded my family and the different mother and wife I am to them as I grow.
   

3. Like Indiana Jones crossing the inivisible bridge in Raiders of the Last Arc, there are no guarantees when you step out on a path. My demons are ever ready to tell me I am not going to make it; not good enough, not smart enough, not young enough, not sporty enough, not un-tired enough, etc. However, stepping onto the path, and continuing to choose to step onto the path, is a guarantee of its own. If you step out, you will end up somewhere different.  I have to believe that I can and will do it. I have to course correct when I get negative or positive feedback. I have to maintain my humility and confidence. I can take courage from others for reassurance; however it is ultimately my core belief (that we all have something to offer) that moves me forward. 
   

Another dream...The MLab Office 🖤 Welcome.