Secret dreams

Yesterday I spent a few minutes writing out a list of my dreams. Not just the obvious ones (like “get a book published”) but the big ones too. The ones I don’t talk about. The ones I rarely even let myself think about, because…

Because they’re scary.

They are big dreams. Ambitious dreams. Outlandish dreams. (But still noble dreams, I hope.) And I am afraid of them. Afraid of not achieving them. And I don’t just mean not achieving all of them. I mean not achieving any of them. What if I didn’t manage a single one? What would that mean for my life? What would that say about me?

I don’t know. But one of my personal philosophies is not to live in fear. Yes, there are scary things in this world, but I don’t want them to win. So yesterday, I faced these intimidating dreams, and instead of being cowed by them, I felt inspired.

I’m not going to publish the list here — at least not yet. But I will keep it in my head and in my heart. (And probably someplace a bit more tangible than that, like in my journal and on my laptop.) In the years to come, I will post each dream as it comes true. Hopefully someday you’ll know them all.

I don’t believe that just writing these things out will make them happen, or that if I wish hard enough, I’ll get what I want. But I do believe… in myself. In hard work. In perseverance. In patience. I believe that I can achieve at least some of my dreams, if not all of them.

And even if for some reason I don’t, I believe that it’s worth trying.


11 responses to “Secret dreams”

  1. Shari Avatar

    I absolutely couldn’t agree more.

    Also: I look forward to reading those future posts, because I have total confidence that you can – and will – achieve your dreams. You’re too hard-working and dedicated not to.

    1. Kristan Avatar

      Thanks, Shari! Right back at ya. ;)

  2. Marci Avatar

    I’ve never met someone so committed to their goals, or someone with such a positive attitude about overcomingng adversity. I have the utmost confidence you’ll be blogging some of these soon :-)

    1. Kristan Avatar

      Oh Marci… That means a lot coming from you. I actually teared up!

  3. Melissa Avatar

    I believe all these things, too. I’m sure that’s how it all starts. Thank you for your words and example.

  4. T. S. Bazelli Avatar

    I agree with you 100%. It’s important to have big, crazy, small, amazing dreams of all sorts. I have mine written down safely away (I feel its good to keep them close till they’re true). I’m looking forward to seeing yours come true!

  5. Kristan Avatar

    Melissa and T.S.-
    Thanks for your support!

  6. yogadog Avatar

    I have no doubt of you accomplishing amazing things. Just don’t forget to appreciate those not on the dream list. They count too.

    1. Kristan Avatar

      Thanks, Julia. That’s a good reminder. :)

  7. Sherrie Petersen Avatar

    I actually do think writing down your dreams is the first step to making them come true. I recently made a list of writing goals for the coming year. Even writing them out kind of scared me because I haven’t been as writerly in the last year. But focusing on those dreams is an important reminder for us. And I think you were wise to make the time to acknowledge those dreams. Now you have a promise to yourself, an impetus to work toward them. Good luck!

    1. Kristan Avatar

      To clarify: I think writing goals down / visualizing them ALONE isn’t enough. But yes, it can be a very helpful and motivating beginning step. :)

      Thanks, and same to you!