I've always been a dreamer, and I've always let my dreams lead me. Then when I saw this quote by James Baldwin on FaceBook, I was inspired to think more deeply about my dreams.
We need to create the kinds of places where we fit in, feel whole, and live the good lives we want to live.
As we reach toward our dreams there's a need for revision along the way because life often hands us situations we're not prepared for. Yet, with a path that reaches for your dreams and rethinks and revises along the way, we are likely to reach the good living we desire at least in part as life is never perfect. That imperfection keeps us reaching, thinking, wondering, and working for betterment as long as we don't give up.
My earliest dreams in life were those related to being a mom, a wife, and a teacher. I also dreamt a lot about being a homemaker too. I had a very traditional array of childhood dreams. My dreams were influenced greatly by the women around me who were mostly living traditional lives. If I were a young woman today, I believe my dreams related to career goals would be different as there are many more choices for women when it comes to careers in today's world even though the current administration is doing what they can to dismiss full lives for women.
So as I think about dreams today, I am thinking about what I am working for, wishing for, and hoping for.
A loving home
As has been my dream for most of my life, I am working to build a loving home. I want my home to be the kind of place that people experience warmth, acceptance, peace, and joy. For me that means that my home has to be as simple as possible, and a place that includes an array of comfortable spots to rest, read, talk, create, and live peacefully. Since I tend to have multiple projects going on at once, I need to work against having a home that's in disarray. This is a good goal.
A happy family
I experienced many happy family experiences as a child. There was lots of joy as my family experienced wonderful times together at home and via many wonderful experiences in nature. I want to nurture a happy family in the ways that I can. I won't accept behaviors that threaten or harm others--there's no room for that. If someone is so hurt that the only response they are able to provide is hurtful or threatening, I want to distance myself with the notion that I can help, but I can't accept hurtful, harmful, or bigoted behavior or any kind. There's too much good possible to allow hurtful, hateful behaviors to rule. I also want to be there for others without dictating who they are or the kinds of lives they choose. There are countless ways to live a good life, and each of us needs to find and live what a "good life" means to us.
Adventure
I love the exhilaration of adventuring to new places and new experiences. Since I'm a scaredy cat, I always choose fairly safe and predictable adventures. Lately I've hired guides for some adventures which has been awesome since those guides tend to be experts in the area I'm visiting or activities I'm engaging in. Adventure, in my opinion, brings zest to life.
Relationships
I truly enjoy connecting with other people in all kinds of ways. I love what good relationships bring to life and want to nurture good relationships in ways that I can.
Acceptance, patience, care
I want people to accept me with all of my strengths and weaknesses and I want to do the same for others. While I'm happy when people are truthful with me; I also am moved by people who recognize that none of us are super human and we all have something of value as well as personal challenges to bring to life.
Creating
I love building, making, learning, exploring, and creating. I love the challenge of learning something new and getting better at the hobbies and interests I enjoy. Connecting with experts online and in real time helps in this endeavor.
The arts
I love what literature, theater, music, dance, and the wide parameter of the arts bring to life. I want to make that a staple of my living.
Rejecting the negative aspects of life
As much as possible, I want to reject the people and events that harm and hurt others--we are too good for that, and I don't want to give those people or places my time, support, or energy in any way. Yet, I also don't want to stay silent in the face of oppression, bigotry, chosen ignorance, harm, or hurt.
Generosity
Truly to be generous is to live a good life. I want to be as generous as I can be.
At this stage of life, it's not so much about attaining positions, jobs, or material goods, but instead my dreams are centered most on how to live life. I realize that it's a privilege to be able to think this way in a world where many are just striving to stay alive. There's lots of work to do to create a better world in our own lives and beyond. My dreams center on that. Onward.
