The Power of Big Dreams

I’ve been thinking a lot about big dreams lately.

“Life is short, live bold! Be heard, be you, dream big, take risks, don’t wait.” ~ Misty Gibbs

Growing up, I was never encouraged to dream big. My parents didn’t dream big – I think they were just trying to do the best they could. For them, success was owning a home, having a steady job, and taking occasional family vacations.

I think my dad’s big dreams involved me; he wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer. That was his dream. I just wanted to be liked, have friends, and fit in.

Then I got married and settled into a life where any dreams revolved around what my husband wanted. The problem is that he didn’t have big dreams either. At least none that he shared with me. And eventually...

...just like my dad, I passed all my big dreams onto my daughter.

Needless to say, that worked as well for me as it did for my dad. So I had to start dreaming my own big dreams, but I had no practice. I was mired in small dreams, not daring to even consider anything amazing. And guess what? Nothing really amazing happened.   

This isn’t to say that good things didn’t happen, because they did.

I had success at work. I was able to purchase my own home and also buy 7 rental properties in four states. I got my ministerial license and founded a church. I started doing some coaching long before ‘coaching’ became part of our everyday language. I’ve been featured in two books, interviewed on radio, and been a guest speaker at churches and retreats. I even had the good fortune to live one of the most beautiful places…Sedona. Sounds good, right? And all of this happened without having a plan, a vision, or a big dream.

But, back to big dreams.

After figuring out that putting my big dreams onto my daughter didn’t work, I was left with trying to create my own big dreams. But since I didn’t have a frame of reference, I started with setting goals that I ‘thought’ I could do. That meant small goals and small dreams.

And since I didn’t have my own big dreams, I loved coaxing and drawing the big dreams out of my clients. I was able to catch the excitement and allure of having a vision way beyond the ordinary. And still I struggled with my own big dreams. And I struggled with ideas that perhaps I was being selfish and egotistical in my desire for even wanting to have a big dream.

And did I mention all the classes, workshops, and coaching I paid for in search of my big dreams? Looking back, I can see I was still trying to fit my dreams into what other people thought should be my big dreams. But those dreams didn’t fit with me and I thought there was something wrong with me. I thought I was incapable of having any big dreams of my own.  

And then it happened.

I finally let go (probably because I was exhausted from trying so hard). I relaxed. My mind opened. My imagination opened. I began to dream (and daydream) again. And now all I want to do is talk about and write about living boldly, living big, taking risks, being audacious and outrageous, and being wholly, fully, and completely ourselves.

Why am I sharing this?

I know (I hope) I’m not the only one who has trouble getting past their history or their current circumstances to see what’s possible. Maybe it’s a fear of failure. Maybe it’s a fear of being disappointed. Maybe it’s a fear of not being able to live up to expectations. Maybe it’s that we don’t have any role models. Or maybe it’s that we don’t have any practice.

Whatever the reason, I want to encourage you to keep at it. It’s okay if you don’t know how to get there. That’s the point of the big dream. But, oh how exciting to take those first steps. Possibilities abound. Choices galore. A chance to feel the excitement and exhilaration of what it would be like to show up fully and live out loud. To experience the complete satisfaction and joy of knowing you are living on purpose and making the difference that only you can make.

I’d love to hear your big dream.

Say 'YES' to yourself by remembering to dream!

About Janet
Janet Kingsley helps people believe in their own potential and transform their dreams into fulfilling, inspired, and prosperous realities. It’s time to say ‘yes’ to yourself and live your aligned life.