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It’s About Time Ruth Wong |
Enrich your life by
realizing your dreamsMartin Luther King Jr., whose birthday we recently celebrated, had a dream. How about you? Do you have dreams for your life?
In 1996 I heard about a remarkable man named John Goddard who, when he was 15, wrote a list of 127 things he wanted to do, see and learn during his lifetime.
On his list were such teenage aspirations as becoming an Eagle Scout, diving in a submarine and learning water- and snow-skiing. But also on his list were grandiose goals such as reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica, climbing certain mountains, photographing specific waterfalls and visiting every country in the world.
The last I heard, Goddard was in his 70s and had accomplished 109 of his dreams. To do this, I'm sure he put his time and efforts to good use!
My mother was a dreamer. She was raised and educated in Japan, but way back in the 1920s, her dream was to come to America to study. And after graduating from college in Japan, she did!
What are some of your dreams? No matter how young or old, rich or poor, you can have them. The key is to capture them by writing them down, and as the opportunities present themselves (and they will!), act to fulfill them.
DREAMS NEEDN'T be grandiose and far away. They can be local dreams, such as taking the Leeward train ride or swimming with the dolphins.
I feel that having dreams keeps us interested and aware of the countless possibilities in life. I'll even go so far as to say that a life without dreams is a life half-lived.
Some of the dreams I've realized include visiting Amish Country in Pennsylvania, Walden Pond, the Taj Mahal, Nero's Villa in Rome, and doing the Kolekole Pass Run/Walk. I add to my dream list regularly, whenever I hear or think of things that rouse me.
Pursuing a dream helps us to step out of our comfort zone. I remember when I had a free day in Boston and remembered my dream of seeing the House of the Seven Gables, in Salem. Although it was scary for me to drive in a strange city (especially in Boston), I stepped out of my comfort zone and headed out. It was well worth it!
I think that dreams realized become peak experiences in our memory bank. Once you know your dream, ask yourself what is blocking it from becoming reality.
I have a friend whose condo is cluttered and undecorated. Her dream is to be able to invite friends over. She's now busy de-cluttering and decorating.
Pursuing our dreams may require managing our time and money better and making hard decisions such as getting rid of stuff, but these are all easier when pursuing a dream.
I encourage you to begin to identify your dreams. Write down those things you want to do, see and learn during your lifetime.
Then, begin to fulfill them. By doing so, you won't just be enduring life, living each day the same as the last, but expanding your horizons, your experiences and enriching your memory bank.
Happy dreaming! See you in three weeks!
"It's About Time," by Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail features@starbulletin.com