Hold Fast to Your Dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die 
Life is a broken-winged bird 
That cannot fly. 

Hold fast to dreams 
For when dreams go 
Life is a barren field 
Frozen with snow. 
— Langston Hughes, 1902—1967

Life has a way of wearing us down and keeping us so distracted that our dreams get left behind and unfulfilled. What do you want to change, accomplish, build, create, make happen that isn’t because you’re allowing distractions and life to get in the way?

This week I reviewed the first quarter of 2019 and felt the frozen field effect as I looked at what I had hoped to achieve by now. One of my unfulfilled dreams this year is to create an online course to help people live with inspired resiliency. Hughes poem inspired me to not settle for an unrealized dream but to press on this next quarter to turn my dream for making a greater difference in people’s lives.

What about you?

What difference do you want to make in the lives of the people who matter to you? What gift are you called to give the world? What are you wanting to create? Who do you want to connect with? What are you inspired to write, build, initiate, change, repair, start, stop, lean into?

Hold fast to your dream and don’t let it die.

Hold fast to your dream by setting your intention on accomplishing that dream.

Hold fast to your dream by writing it down and spelling it out specifically — in actionable steps.

Hold fast to your dream by finding someone smarter than you in the area of your dream and asking them to help you.

Hold fast to your dream by pruning any excess branches of activity or distraction so you have the margin to take action.

Hold fast to your dream by scheduling time each day to take a baby step to achieve your dream.

Hold fast to your dream by marking out short term milestones on the way to dream achievement.

Hold fast to your dream by telling a few close friends what your dream is so they can support you in your pursuit.

Hold fast to your dream by letting the criticism that comes from those who don’t get your dream, to pass right through you.

It’s not the size of your dream that matters. It’s the refusal to let your dream die because of discouragement or failed attempts. I’m committed to keeping my dream alive and getting the help I need to see it come to reality.

What’s your dream? What’s your next step to keep it alive?