Fulfilling Your Dreams
Being Thankful
Guest Blogger: Ken La Salle
I’m coming in a little late with this one, so bear with me. The Thanksgiving holiday just passed here in the United States, which is our tradition for giving thanks for the things we have. As someone pursuing my dream, I felt it would be very appropriate to pause at this time and give thanks for my dream.
And I believe that’s something we all should do.
Just think about what your dream gives you. No matter how far along you may be in achieving your dream, just the fact that you’ve dedicated yourself to it puts you in a very good place.
Consider this. Dreams turn your focus towards the future. You’re less likely to dwell on regrets about the past if your focus is on moving forward with your dream. Dreamers are naturally optimistic people. You’re going to be more optimistic as a dreamer when your focus is on making good things happen in your life. And, lastly, dreams make us feel good about ourselves because we are making ourselves into the people we want to be.
There’s a lot to be thankful for when you’re a dreamer, because you’ve taken that important step away from just wishing for something and into making it real. Really putting the work in to making your dream a reality is a way of taking charge of your life and making it your own.
Now, you might be thinking that I sound pretty unrealistic and that my beliefs are “pie in the sky” – except… there’s a twist.
Because a week ago, I was let go from a new job.
You see, a while back, my wife and I decided that I would devote myself to making my dream of becoming a writer a reality. Changing my focus and devoting my time paid great dividends and really moved my career forward. Sadly, though it paid dividends, it didn’t really pay enough money that I could devote myself solely to writing. (Truth be told, the money has been very slim.)
So, I’ve had to look for part-time work to help us get by. Most of this work has been of a temporary, contract nature and I understand when it ends. But recently, I was hired as a part-time writer and I really believed the job would last a while.
It didn’t. When we saw the end coming, we didn’t realize it would come so quickly. After just about a month in the position, I was back on the street.
So, who am I to talk about being thankful? What is all this nonsense about all the blessings your dream provides?
I’ll tell you who I am. I’m a guy who has devoted himself to his dream. These aren’t just platitudes here. It’s real. Yes, times are tough and things don’t always work out – but even in the worst of it, I can tell you all of this because it’s true.
It’s easy to be thankful when everything is going well. That’s the platitude. That’s what makes holidays about giving thanks seem so empty. But to truly understand what thankfulness is about, you need to stand in the worst and understand all the ways you benefit. You need to see it from the toughest spot.
Those who dream the toughest dreams understand this. They scratch and claw their way, knowing just how worthwhile their dream is and that’s why they don’t let anything stop them. Because another benefit dreams provide is the understanding of just how special your dream is even before you achieve it.
Knowing that can get you through all kinds of difficulties. And that’s what keeps you going.
My difficulties are pretty bad at times but I’m fortunate to have someone like Vicky; someone who cares. (You can see my article on support systems for more on this. I’ve included it in The Worth of Dreams The Value of Dreamers – now in audiobook. Wink!) That’s just another thing I’m thankful for.
You don’t have to wait for a special time of year to be reminded of this. Every moment you work towards your dream is a reminder in itself.
About the Author
You can find out more about Ken La Salle at www.kenlasalle.com. Climbing Maya, An Exploration Into Success by Ken La Salle is now available from all major e-tailers by Solstice Publishing.
You can also find The Worth of Dreams/The Value of Dreamers, a compilation of Ken La Salle’s first year with Recovering the Self with plenty of bonus content, available as an e-book from all major e-tailers and coming soon as an audio book.
