An astronaut. A firefighter. A doctor, lawyer, farmer, mom. Maybe a unicorn. These are all things kids dream of becoming when they’re older. They close their eyes and imagine with brilliant enthusiasm how their life will be. And they share their dreams unapologetically. And in an ideal world they receive encouragement to reach for the stars, and are told that they can become anything they want to be, that anything is possible! Well, maybe not a unicorn. That bubble gets burst at some point.
But what happens to our enthusiasm and our dreams? Do we just get caught up in our day to day life and forget them? Or do they get stored in a box along with our childhood memories, put up on a shelf and retrieved every now and then to reminisce?
Most often I believe, we get ourselves trapped in our comfort zone. A warm and cozy spot most times, but the boundaries are rippled in fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of getting hurt, fear of so many things that keep us from DARING to dream like we did as a child, and maybe even remembering to dream at all.
“My life has been long, and believing that life loves the liver of it, I have dared to try many things, sometimes trembling, but daring still”. ~ Maya Angelou
So, start with some small ‘foot dips’ out of your comfort zone. What are some dreams you have for yourself? Maybe it’s to start a small business? Become an entrepreneur, or a stay at home parent? Or write a book, or travel? Maybe it’s to own your own home, or start a charity? Whatever it is that makes your heart feel light and enthusiastic like it did when you were a kid - like when you can’t fall asleep because you’re excited about what you can do - that’s when you know you’re on to something! Then take a small, baby step.... a ‘foot dip’ out of your comfort zone..... and stretch. Before you know it, your comfort zone ceiling has moved, and you’re closer to becoming an astronaut! A firefighter! A doctor, lawyer, farmer, mom...... maybe even a unicorn.
Tracey Purvis