Beginning at the End

“What we call the beginning is often the end

and to make an end is to make a beginning.

The end is where we start from.”

~ T. S. Eliot

It’s been quite a ride! I started this blog in August 2010 as a way of encouraging readers to pursue their dreams. I thought that if I shared stories of people who were making their dreams a reality, it would inspire others to do the same.

This blog has done this and so much more. And I have you, my readers, to thank for that.

Knowing you’re there, waiting for the next installment, has motivated me to show up at the page twice a week (nearly 250 posts to date!).  Your comments remind me that I’m not writing into the Void – you really are enjoying the stories, tips and ideas, and making them your own.

Thanks to you, Dream Bigger has had over 8,000 views from 60 different countries. Wow!

And my book, Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease continues to sell well all over the world (again, thank you!)

It’s now time for me to dream bigger myself. I’m not sure what that dream looks like yet. I know that writing will always be a part of my life, however I don’t know what the next chapter holds. In order to find out, I need to start by bringing this one to a close. You see, it’s only in letting go of the old that you can make room for the new.

This will, therefore, be my last blog post here, although the archives remain available for you to enjoy for now.

I am continuing to offer coaching on life, relationship and money issues (by skype and phone) so if you’ve enjoyed my approach in this blog and in my book, you can always reach me through my website for one-to-one coaching.

Here’s to you! May your dreams entice you ever forward!

As for me, I’ll be exploring the possibilities that await. And you never know, another blog may emerge from my meanderings!

Taking the path less travelled …

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Shifting Perspectives

I was reading a book lately and came across a question that helped me shift my perspective. Like many people, I tend to take life too seriously. I get caught up in stress and worry about money and deadlines. I find myself trying to squeeze just a few more hours into the work day. And when something happens to change my plans, it can throw my whole day off.

Then I saw this question.

“Will it matter a year from now?”

Such a simple question. Yet each time I say it, I pause.

A year is a long time. It’s made up of 365 days. Each day has 24 hours.

Will this stressful situation matter 8760 hours from now? I doubt it very much. In fact, I probably won’t even remember it in a week, let alone a year from now.

Sure, some of the decisions I make now will have an impact on what I’m doing in a year’s time. Since that’s true, I’d better make sure that those decisions are based on what brings me joy rather than worry.

So how can I take this situation and shift it?

First, by realizing that it’s not as important or serious as I might think initially.

Second, by asking myself, what is needed to bring more joy into this moment?

And then taking action based on that.

It’s all about living with joy and ease – the Dream Bigger life.

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The Rollercoaster of Life

Over the past year, I’ve been giving periodic updates on the adventures of Peter Brother, the Canadian cyclist travelling from the Yukon to the southern tip of Argentina by bike. Since my last post, he’s journeyed through all of Central America and is now in South America. In Peru, to be exact.

He’s had some incredible experiences, met lots of interesting people, and continues to post updates and photos on his blog.

He recently celebrated his 70th birthday, and has no intention of slowing down. In his words,

“I’ve already done a lot in my life and could sit back and be satisfied. But in a sense I feel like I am a caterpillar about to burst out of the cocoon. I hope that my journey inspires people of all ages, to not assume any limitations, to discover what our true limitations are, our weaknesses and our strengths. It takes courage to do what you want to do, because there will be pain, disappointment, but there will also be more joy and happiness. The journey of life is to rediscover the heart, moving toward our heart’s unfolding.”

Peter recently had a first-hand experience of the pain and disappointment he mentions in this quote. He had spent the day exploring the sacred site of Machu Picchu with a group. When he returned to his hotel, he discovered that his bike was missing. He checked to see if it had been moved to the garage behind the building, but it wasn’t there. It had been stolen.

That bike had been his constant companion for over a year. It had taken him through city streets and mountain roads, along coastlines and across continents. It was a specialized bike, chosen because it was both lightweight and durable, able to carry him as well as his packs.

There he was, in Peru, three-quarters of the way through his dream cycling journey and … without a bike.

What would you do? Would you be able to dream bigger?

Later this week, I’ll let you know how Peter approached this. For now, I’m curious to hear what you’d do under those circumstances.

 

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Change Your Life in Three Months!

As children head back to school, September is a great month for all of us to look at how we’re doing in terms of the goals we set for ourselves this year. Are you where you hoped to be by this point in 2012? If you were to set new goals, where would you like to be by December?

This is your opportunity to end the year on a positive note. Here are a few basic tips to help you get there.

1. Prioritize one or two areas that you’d like to focus on in the next three months. Why are these areas important to you? What will improving these areas bring into your life?
2. Set achievable goals. Be specific about what you intend to achieve and set a deadline (December 1, Christmas, December 31).
3. Create an action plan. Look at your goals and make a list of steps you can take to get there. Break the list down into steps you’ll take each week.
4. Include some fun time in your plan. If you’re going to work hard at achieving your goals, make sure you have some fun along the way.
5. Ask for support from a friend, family member or colleague. Be sure to choose someone who is truly supportive and will provide positive reinforcement of your plans.
6. Get started! Pick one step you can take today. Each day take another step. Track your progress and celebrate each mini-goal that you reach and pass.

Believe that you can make positive changes in your life and then, just do it!

*****

I’ll be discussing this in more detail on KW Magazine with John Maciel on CKWR FM 98.5 on Wednesday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. (EDT). Do listen in!

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Here Comes The Sun

The idea for this post emerged as I sat out on my balcony one afternoon. The day had dawned bright and clear, not a cloud in the sky. The air was warm, the sun was bright, all felt right with the world.

By mid-day, I was heading home under the ominous threat of an enormous black cloud. Along the edge, I could see the telltale wisps trailing down indicating rain was falling in the distance. Thunder rumbled as I rushed in the front door of my building.

All afternoon, the sky danced back and forth between bright blue and dark grey. One minute the sun was blazing brightly. The next, the rain was pouring down.

I went out on the balcony during an “intermission” in the thunder and lightning show. The sun was shining again, but I could see the next storm front approaching like a runaway freight train.

It occurred to me that the day’s weather was a good reminder of the ups and downs of life. We sail on calm seas under blue skies for a while, and are lulled into believing that this is how life is. Suddenly, the winds come up, the water gets rough and choppy and we lose sight of shore. It’s hard to remember in the thick of the storm that the sun is still shining behind the clouds. Sometimes it feels like the storm will last forever.

In our lives, the rainy days can seem to last a very long time. Much longer than we want. Remembering that rain is a part of the natural cycle of life helps me to put things into perspective. The sun will shine again. Days of joy and peace will return. In fact, if you look around, even on rainy days, it’s possible to experience the joy of a sunny day – the taste of a fresh orange, the warmth of a comforting hug, the laughter of a moment shared.

The next time that life seems to be offering more rain than sun, try closing your eyes, stretching your arms upward and imagining the sun shining down upon your face. Take some deep breaths and allow the light and warmth to flow through your whole being. The world might seem a bit brighter and your heart a little happier knowing that it’s only a matter of time until the sun appears again.

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Words to Live By

I have just two words for you today …

TRY EASY!

What does that mean to you, and how might it apply today (or this week) in your life? I’m curious. 🙂

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One Girl’s Dream

Sixteen-year old Doa’a Mheissin has a dream. She wants to become a famous author and journalist. She began blogging five years ago at the suggestion of one of her teachers.

To many of my readers, that dream may not seem unusual. However, for Doa’a, it’s a challenging one indeed.

You see, Doa’a lives in the Gaza Strip. Her house does not have electricity for 8-10 hours a day, and she has to borrow her father’s computer to post to her blog. And she is female, in a culture and society which, as she says, renders women faceless and nameless.

She is involved in a school program called Girls for Change. It’s a program designed to empower girls ages 12 to 18 through developing leadership skills and training them how to address social issues. The girls attend workshops to discuss gender roles and what empowerment means to them, and they develop action plans for addressing community issues.

A key component is learning how to use technology like blogging and Twitter to express their views and gain community support. Through Girls for Change, Doa’a is learning how to write about the social issues facing her community. The results are not necessarily popular with everyone, but the girls are excited to finally have a voice. The program is apparently receiving high praise from school officials, parents and community associations.

The determination of young women like Doa’a, their dedication to their dreams (no matter the odds), and the support they receive from visionary organizations like Girls for Change gives me hope that the future of our world is in good hands.

If she can dream bigger, so can we all!

*****

Thanks to Craig and Marc Kielburger for bringing this story to my attention on the Huffington Post. Craig is one of the DreamMakers I interviewed for Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease. He and Marc are co-founders of Free The Children and the Me to We .

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Your Path Awaits

“When you step out on the way, the way appears.”

~Rumi

I’m really good at planning and organizing. In fact, I can put so much time and effort into preparation that it sometimes gets in the way of taking action. I’m sure you know what I mean. Have you ever had a goal or a dream, something you’ve talked about doing for a long time? Everyone around you has heard the story a million times, but for some reason you never get around to actually doing it. What holds you back?

Sometimes we’re content where we are – it’s easier to talk about what we want than to go get it, isn’t it? Sometimes it’s what a friend of mine calls “analysis paralysis” – you keep weighing the pros and the cons over and over again until you’re so confused that you can’t make any decision. For me, the challenge is taking that first step. What if it’s a mistake? What if it’s the “wrong” choice? What if I haven’t done enough research or preparation or training or … ?

It’s all just excuses. What it comes down to is a fear of the unknown. Where’s that crystal ball when you need it?

That’s why I love the quote by Rumi at the top of this post. It’s a reminder that all you have to do is take the first step, and the path will become evident.

I experienced this a few weeks ago when my partner and I were exploring along the Niagara River. We’d walked along a stony beach and stopped to sit on some enormous rocks overlooking the water. At one point, he suggested that we try and go further and see if we could reach the bend in the river.

I looked in the direction he was gesturing. All I could see were boulders. Huge boulders. Broken tree branches. A ravine (and the sound of water trickling down the cliff side).

It looked like the only route would be along the edge of some rocks that sloped steeply toward the fast-moving water.

“I don’t think so,” I said. “There’s no path. It looks too dangerous.”

“Let’s check it out anyway,” he said.

Reluctantly, I followed. We scrambled through the wet ravine and up the other side where, to my amazement, a path appeared between the boulders.

We did get to the bend in the river – by following a path that was invisible from where we’d been sitting.

So, as Rumi suggests, if there’s something you want to do, just start taking steps. The path is waiting.

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The Beauty of Change

I love autumn. It’s my favourite season in the year. I enjoy the transition from September through December as the natural world relinquishes its grasp on busy-ness and growth, and surrenders to the stillness of winter slumber.

As I write, the trees are nearly bare and I can see the little pond behind my building once again. All summer I could hear ducks and geese paddling about, but they were invisible, hidden behind the heavy cover of leaves.

By late September, those leaves had begun to change colour, subtly at first, a hint of yellow amid the dark green, followed by a tinge of orange and then the vibrant hues of amber, crimson and gold that take my breath away. The warm days and cool nights of early October brought daily changes. On my morning walks I’d see kaleidoscopes of colour swirling in the wind as leaves danced, caught in mini- tornadoes at my feet.

Wild storms in mid-October sent black clouds scudding across the sky providing a magnificent backdrop for the vibrant maple trees framing the edges of farmers’ fields. Bright orange pumpkins dotted the landscape along side the chestnut earth of freshly plowed fields and the golden rolls of hay bales.

Heavy rains have knocked many of the remaining leaves to the ground in the past week. A few determined ones still cling valiantly to the trees, mostly yellow, green and brown now. Soon the world outside my window will be shades of grey, brown and black, a stark contrast to the radiance of the past month, yet still beautiful in its own way.

I guess that’s what makes this season (and life itself) so rich for me. Every day brings change, something new to notice, another type of beauty to recognize and appreciate.

And savour, because it will be different again tomorrow.

 

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Rewriting The Story

Grandmother sat in the old wooden rocking chair by the window, looking out at the woods that surrounded her cosy home. The leaves were starting to change colours. She watched squirrels gathering and burying nuts, and listened to the echoes of geese flying overhead.

Her daughter bustled about in the nearby kitchen, chopping vegetables and putting them into the large soup pot on the stove. She left the soup to simmer and began to sweep the floor.

“I can hardly wait til I’m your age,” she said to the old woman, ” so I can just sit back and put my feet up.”

Grandmother smiled. “Is that what you think I do all day?” she asked. “I’m only sitting here because you said you were here for a visit.”

Her daughter looked sheepishly at the broom in her hand. “I was just trying to help,” she said quietly.

“You are a great help, my dear. To everyone around you. But do you ever stop and notice the view outside the window, or share a cup of tea with a friend?”

“I don’t have time for that. I always have so much to do.”

“Really? That may have been true when your children were babies. And when they were teenagers. It can’t have been easy juggling your work schedule and their needs, and keeping the house running. But now they’re grown and gone, like the young robins who flew from the nest in the eaves a few weeks ago. What keeps you so busy now?”

The young woman was silent.

Grandmother smiled. “You find ways to keep yourself busy because you don’t know it can be any other way, Daughter. It’s a story you tell yourself about how your life is. It may have been true at one time, but stories can change as our lives and circumstances change. Perhaps it’s time to rewrite your story so that it’s more suited to who you are and what you want now.”

She gestured to a nearby armchair. “Come, sit for a moment. Let’s dream a little…”

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