Have you ever woken up, glanced around you and thought “what’s happening to me, what’s happened to all the dreams, hopes and aspirations you had as a child?”
Can you remember what you wanted to be when growing up, or does it all feel like a dream, a far-away fairy tale that never really got off the ground?
Do You Remember Your Childhood Dreams?
As a child, it is easy to dream. To dream big, to dream and pretend to be a superstar, an actress, world traveller and be your favourite TV character.
But somehow as you grow up, life gets in the way. Dreams you had as a child fade into the background as you struggle to meet the demands and expectations of parents, teachers, employers and society.
Where Did It all Go Wrong?
Can you remember what it felt like to be alive, to wake up on the first day of the long summer school vacations and just be glad that you didn’t have to go to school today?
Never Give Up
Believe it or not, it does not matter how old, tired, fat or broke you are, it is still possible to achieve your dreams. It is still possible to breathe and live the childhood life of your dreams.
As you are older, it is harder to change, to let go off your attachments and change how you respond to family and societal responsibilities. Difficult but not impossible.
Five Baby Steps To Get You Started
Follow these five baby steps to help you find the courage and determination to succeed and follow your inner heart’s song.
1. Make A Decision That You Will Commit To Change
If you are stuck in a rut and not sure what you wish to do, what your dreams are, that’s OK. The starting place for change begins within. Whenever you feel unhappy, unfulfilled, unsure or low that is a sign that your life is out of alignment and you are not following your hearts desire.
2. Trust The Process
In the process of change, of deciding what you want to do, it can be difficult to know if what you feel is real or just your imagination playing tricks. Whatever is going on inside, you have to learn to trust. To trust yourself and to know that at any given moment in time, you are in the right place at the right time. Everything you experience is a learning and a step towards you achieving your goals.
3. Take Time to Meditate And Breathe
In the throes of change, in deciding what path to take, you can feel stifled, stuck and unsure of what is happening inside. Learning how to meditate and how to breathe correctly is essential to help you gain clarity. Every time you exhale you give your body space and permission to let go, and release pain and struggle. As you inhale, you take in rich oxygen, which brings life and vitality to your mind, body and soul.
4. Ask for Support
If you know you want to change but are not sure exactly what part of your life you have to change to reach your dreams then seek help. Ask for support. There are lots of self-help personal development groups, life coaches and mentors available who will encourage you to get clearer about what changes you have to make. In some cases, your coach, guide or mentor can hold your hand and support you through the whole process of change.
5. Let Go Of Resistance.
In the process of change, you will meet resistance. Resistance from friends, family, colleagues, society. Even resistance from your body. Just when you decide to change, to announce your calling, something “terrible” happens. You may fall ill, your child starts playing up at school, your partner leaves, you get fired.
Resistance is life’s little way of telling you that you have to make a decision, you are on the brink of change and the challenges you face, force you to stop and face your fears.
Sometimes you have to bide your time, breathe and wait awhile. Other times, these challenges are exactly the cues you need to sort yourself out and get moving.
Who’s Rules Are You Following?
Again, there are no right or wrong emotions or experiences. Your job, with the guidance and support of your coach is to look at what the resistance represents and, to find a way which allows you to safely explore all options and decide what the next step is.
Here’s What I Have Done
Deep down you know change is possible; yet you may still doubt you can change. I have those doubts and fears, yet over the years I have changed. I left my three daughters when they were all under 10 years old at home, to travel to India to train as a Yoga Teacher. I had to go. The pain and suffering I was going through forced me to make a decision. Leaving my babes behind to travel to India was my life or death calling.
Next big change. I resigned from my secure job as a Probation Officer to become self-employed. “How are you going to manage, are you sure you are doing the right thing? What about the children?”…I heard it all. Yet took the plunge.
You Can Do It To
I have numerous debts, 3 teenager daughters, a pending divorce, mood swings and bags of self doubts; yet still have the courage and belief that Yes I Can Do This. Find serenity amidst change and chaos. Make a difference through writing and teaching yoga.
Will you join me and share your story?
We are humans with social, obligations and family responsibilities and commitments, it is hard to reclaim your dreams and follow your heart.
Don’t Ever Give Up
Take your time, breathe and follow the above five steps – make a decision to change, trust the process, breathe, ask for support and let go of resistance and in time, you shall wake up and find yourself living your dream.
I encourage you to take your time and follow your heart. You will be glad you did.
Inspired to take the next step?
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Be Well and Take Care of You
Image, with thanks, Seatelleyogi,
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