Finding That Dream

I remember listening to the baseball game on the radio when I was seven years old. That was so exciting!!! I think that's when I experienced my first dream - to be a baseball player. As it turned out it was a short lived dream holding no match to football. And then after watching many episodes of Perry Mason on television I just knew I wanted to be a criminal lawyer. Other passing phases in my life were acting and, I hate to admit it, politics. In the 60âs and 70's when being a radical had it's appeal I was a lawyer involved in the social causes of the day. From there I went inward and the life of a mystic and yogi had its allure. Since music had always been a part of my life, fantasies of being a professional musician definitely came up. And yes, having a family, being a husband and father was one of my dreams.

Some of these dreams and roles became part of my life for different periods of time and some I am still living. But what intrigues me is why I went for some and gave up on others. When do we give up and say "It's just not in the cards, Iit's not meant to be." Successful personal relationships are usually the most confusing. How do we know when to give up on a relationship? There was a song by Kenny Rogers, "The Gambler" in which one of the lines is "know when to hold them , know when to fold them."

A beggar is sitting on the side of the road when a stranger walks by. Eyeing the stranger he decides to ask the stranger for some change. The stranger looks at him and says no. Then he asks the beggar what he is sitting on. The beggar says it is nothing but an old box that he has had for years. The stranger then asks the beggar if he has looked inside and the beggar says no. With the strangers urging the beggar looks inside the box and discovers gold.

The gold represents those treasures inside of us which have been forgotten due to life's circumstances in the closets of our minds. It's time to look in the closet and see what's in there. It might be in there because of some voice saying no or because we were willing to settle for less. As you clean out your closet, see if you discover a dream that is vibrant with challenge and excitement, a dream that is outside the box.

A suggestion would be to start with just one goal or dream and commit to exploring this dream, your unique dream for at least a year. Peek ahead a year from now and imagine how your life would be if you were living this dream. Going for our dreams is always a journey full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, an exploration rich with meaning and purpose. Enjoy the journey!

I love receiving your many responses and feedback. Keep them coming. Feel free to pass on this letter to the friends in your circle and let them know about the advantages of being on the journey. A special thanks to Wisewomyn Editing for all of the insightful editorial suggestions.

Journey On

mark@inspirepossibility.com
(415) 453-5016

Mark Susnow, formerly a trial attorney for 30 years is a coach, musician, speaker, and group facilitator. He's inspired hundreds of people to believe in themselves and to achieve their goals and dreams. Contact Mark to discover how you can benefit from coaching and his ecourse. Be sure to visithis website. www.inspirepossibility.com - Here's what one of his clients had to say.

"After playing six years in the National Football League I was fortunate enough to make a great transition into the business world. All the traits that had helped me to reach my dream of playing in the NFL were now being used to enhance my business career. From the first meeting, you asked the questions that helped me figure out what was really happening in my life. We defined priorities and developed specific strategies to address the issues. You have recommended books that are truly inspirational and have helped me convert that inspiration into an action plan. You have helped me to reaffirm my personal beliefs and values which have brought me so far. The journey of life is easier traveled with a Map & Directions. Thanks forhelping me find my way."
- Natu Tuatagaloa