What is Your Purpose for Dreaming Big, Little or Dreaming at all?
 

Hello Everyone!

I had an intriguing conversation this weekend, one which gave me pause...it has been reverberating in my mind ever since, so I thought I would bring it into this place to discuss further. I figured there is a reason for its haunting me, continuing to rattle around in my brain like Marley's Ghost on Christmas Eve!

I was sharing dinner with a person who has been significant in my life, and the topic of having, living and being accountable to our dreams for our futures. You know, those personal visions that pull us forward, awakening us to possibilities and opportunities we would never have known otherwise.

My dinner partner stated, point blank, "If you have people who you are depending on you, you can't have dreams. You just have to live."

And my response was, "It is precisely FOR those people that you MUST continue to dream. If your ability to dream dies, what do you teach those you love?"

As I said, it sparked further dialogue between us, with me looking at this person quizically, wondering, "Have we EVER known each other?!"

Why do you continue dreaming?

What do your dreams fuel for you?

Where would you be without your dreams, visions, plans or possibilities for a more vibrant, fulfilling future?

Answer any or all.....I really would enjoy hearing your responses....I can tell this conversation is going to be a memorable one for me. Perhaps it will be for you, as well.

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE




Where I Live My Dreams

I believe in Infinite Possibilities
 

Hi,

As usual, your message was about a crucial subject.

I believe in Infinite Possibilities. Just this morning I posted a sincere message at this forum requesting people to contact me who can see 1 minute into the future. Just because it's never been done doesn't mean someone can't do it.

What I want to do is to help my wife and myself, and our kids and grand-kids, in as big a way as I can.

We all build a world in our heads, and I'm trying to build as big a world in my head as I can.

For one thing, it's a *LOT* safer to dream big than it is to dream little. Which is the opposite of the way it feels. It's safer, and my trading experience proves this, to do the scary thing than it is to do the safe-feeling thing.

I know I will succeed in a monetary way, unless I die. And I'm going to create a fallback plan even for that by loading up on insurance. Did you know you can have fallback plans for your fallback plans? That's the way Joe Ross did business; as he truthfully said "I refuse to lose."

My dreams are unseeable and unfeelable by anyone other than me, yet they're infinitely stronger than steel and will outlive me by a considerable margin.

Best,

-Boyd

Re: I believe in Infinite Possibilities
 

> Hi

***Hi Boyd and all....

> I believe in Infinite Possibilities.

***I really appreciate that, Boyd, in one of the classes I taught a couple weeks past I noted we all have a choice to either put "IM" in front of possibilities or "INFINITE" in front of possibilities. We believe in whichever one and then take congruent action...or if we do NOT take the congruent action, it shows we do not hold very strong beliefs.
> For one thing, it's a *LOT* safer to dream
> big than it is to dream little. Which is the
> opposite of the way it feels. It's safer,
> and my trading experience proves this, to do
> the scary thing than it is to do the
> safe-feeling thing.

***How so? Boyd, would you please continue along with this thought? I want to be sure I understand what you are meaning. Thanks!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE


Dreaming Infinitely

Re: I believe in Infinite Possibilities
 

Hi,

After posting this I really should do my disappearing act or people won't think I mean what I say, which I always do.

You wrote:
> Boyd, would you please continue
> along with this thought? I want to be sure I
> understand what you are meaning. Thanks!

The only proof I can offer that it's safer to do the scary thing than the safe-feeling thing is this: Most people don't do the scary things; most people live shorter, less enjoyable lives than they could have. I posit there is a connection between the two situations.

Additionally, think about the various kinds of losers. My Mentor Robert A. Heinlein wrote: "People who go broke in a big way never miss any meals. It is the poor jerk who is shy a half slug who must tighten his belt."

I say, if you're going to win, win BIG! If you're going to lose, lose big! (Big losses *always* contain the seeds of even bigger wins. Think about it. Small losses just grind you down and make you quit.)

Bye LOL!!

-Boyd

Re: What is Your Purpose for Dreaming Big, Little or Dreaming at all?
 

Julie --

I would say first of all that everyone has someone who is depending on them. Most people think of their kids or spouse but it is much broader than that. Especially in the context of how public a person you are. The more public the more people who are depending on you whether you know it or not.

Even in the context of a private person there are always people who are watching you, seeing what you are going to do. You carry an influence on these people and most of the time aren't even aware of it. So that's an indirect dependence but there none the less. Zig Ziglar pointed this out to me.

So dreams are important - however - I do think they need to be considered in light of the other *choices* we have made up to this point. More specifically the results of the choices we have made.

I read a story of a man who died climbing Mt. Everest. Don't remember the name of the person now. It was his passion. He left his wife and children behind. Not to count the time he spent preparing for his climb which I'm sure was not inconsiderable. The story was just talking about him and how he persued his dream. When I finished the story I thought to myself was it good that he pursued that dream? Did he really serve his wife and children by pursuing it? I don't think so.

I believe this mans goals were out of balance. He had one goal that overshadowed all the others to their detriment. That is the difficulty with goals - making them fit in the context of the entire life picture. Fitting them in with the choices we have made in the past.

I've always been intriqued by Gordon's Square One materials as they do attempt to keep all of this in perspective. Gordon is also aware of some of my background in respect to this from conversations we've had in the past.

Let's now put this in perspective. I have a recent arrival at the house - a beautiful 3 month old girl. Would I responsible to have the dream of climing Mt. Everest and putting everything into that dream at this point in time? Absolutely not. Could I take that dream and work with it turning it into something that still fulfills me but remains responsible to my family - absolutely. And who knows what new things will come out of that kind of thinking?

My summary - you can have dreams - but they have to be in context.

-- Dan Butler

> Hello Everyone!

> I had an intriguing conversation this
> weekend, one which gave me pause...it has
> been reverberating in my mind ever since, so
> I thought I would bring it into this place
> to discuss further. I figured there is a
> reason for its haunting me, continuing to
> rattle around in my brain like Marley's
> Ghost on Christmas Eve!

> I was sharing dinner with a person who has
> been significant in my life, and the topic
> of having, living and being accountable to
> our dreams for our futures. You know, those
> personal visions that pull us forward,
> awakening us to possibilities and
> opportunities we would never have known
> otherwise.

> My dinner partner stated, point blank,
> "If you have people who you are
> depending on you, you can't have dreams. You
> just have to live."

> And my response was, "It is precisely
> FOR those people that you MUST continue to
> dream. If your ability to dream dies, what
> do you teach those you love?"

> As I said, it sparked further dialogue
> between us, with me looking at this person
> quizically, wondering, "Have we EVER
> known each other?!"

> Why do you continue dreaming?

> What do your dreams fuel for you?

> Where would you be without your dreams,
> visions, plans or possibilities for a more
> vibrant, fulfilling future?

> Answer any or all.....I really would enjoy
> hearing your responses....I can tell this
> conversation is going to be a memorable one
> for me. Perhaps it will be for you, as well.

> With Purpose and Passion,

> JULIE

Re: What is Your Purpose for Dreaming Big, Little or Dreaming at all?
 

Hi Dan and all!!

Excellent response, and so organized of you to have a summary!

> My summary - you can have dreams - but they
> have to be in context.

In a book I am reading called "Care of the Soul" it talks about pursuing your own genius. It is quite fascinating, and it speaks of how pursuing your genius is so positive for raising your children, so they can learn to seek their own genius.

One of the folks I work with was a competitive figure skater. She can not do that anymore, so we are digging to the heart of her dream, what was it that enlivened her when she was on the ice. Its quite fascinating actually....

And as a bonus, I have uncovered some "DREAMS" quotes and learned a LOT this morning.....

"Dreams - A microscope through which we look at the hidden occurrences in our soul." Erich Fromm

"Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blue prints of your ultimate accomplishments
Napolean Hill

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

The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams."
Og Mandino

To the degree we're not living our dreams, our comfort zone has more control of us than we have over ourselves."
Peter McWilliams

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams....Eleanor Roosevelt

I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams."
Jonas Salk

Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them."
Henry David Thoreau

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined
Henry David Thoreau

I have learned this at least by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours
Henry David Thoreau

Dreams are the touchstones of our characters
Henry David Thoreau

Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born
Dr. Dale Turner

Now go love on that baby and her Mommy, Dan! They are indeed blessed to have you with them!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE

Re: speaking of Dreams and Context...
 

Julie --

You quoted Napoleon Hill. Have you ever read "A Lifetime of Riches: The Biography of Napoleon Hill"? It contains an interesting study in this area of Dreams and Context.

-- Dan Butler

> Cherish your visions and your dreams as they
> are the children of your soul; the blue
> prints of your ultimate accomplishments
> Napolean Hill

An Awful Waste of Space
 

In the movie, Contact, as father and daughter are looking at the stars one night, the daughter asks…."Dad, do you think we’re alone in the universe?" and Dad says….."If we are, it sure would seem like a waste of space"

This may not be the exact wording, but you get the idea and it’s the same with ourselves. What is the point of existing without dreams, plans or ideas of what we want to do with our lives, no matter how far out or extreme they may seem?

Sure we all have responsibilities like providing for a family or even just getting ourselves through every day, but what’s the point, if that’s all there is?

In another movie called ConAir, there’s a guy on the plane who is insane ( he kills people and drives them around in his car with him) but he considers insanity is getting up every morning going to work for the same company for 40 years and then at the end of the 40 years they tell you to p*ss off.

Okay, driving dead people around with you is obviously for the mentally unstable, but from his point of view, 40 years of routine and then being asked to go away, is insanity.

I’m not criticising anyone who is devoted to their work, I just suppose that some people are happy doing what others consider to be unacceptable.

A life without dreams…….seems like an awful waste.

Richard

PS Some people say there don’t have a choice, they don’t have time for dreams, because they’re too busy just living. I think they’re afraid of what might actually happen if they did dream a little and consider the possibilities. Some people fear success, because they know that along the way they may have to change even a little and that can be the hardest thing you can ever do.

Re: speaking of Dreams and Context...
 

Hi Dan!

You asked: Have you ever read "A Lifetime of Riches: The Biography of Napoleon Hill"?

***All I have read of his is "Think and Grow Rich" and I am betting his biography is excellent.

Thank you for the recommendation!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE

Applauding Wildly.........
 

> In the movie, Contact, as father and
> daughter are looking at the stars one night,
> the daughter asks…."Dad, do you think
> we’re alone in the universe?" and Dad
> says….."If we are, it sure would seem
> like a waste of space"

****Hi Richard!

I really enjoyed "Contact" what an awesome movie. I found that entire conversation quite disconcerting (obviously)....why would we all be here occupying space if it is not to fulfill our own, the community, the world's dreams?

I think in your PS you pointed to a very valid point...that fear is what keeps people stagnant. That leap into living a life of dreams is exceptionally scary. In fact, I have been mid leap for about a year now! It is exhilerating, frightening, awe-inspiring, nerve wracking, and I would not trade it for ANYTHING!

Thanks for responding, Richard, quite thought provoking!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE

Re: speaking of Dreams and Context...
 

The biography is *interesting* but doesn't always paint Hill in a flattering light. I enjoy knowing how people play out their philosophies in their own lives. The choices he made in relation to his dreams versus his life choices. His relationship with his sons, his wife, etc. I found it at the local library and enjoyed the read.

-- Dan Butler

> Hi Dan!

> You asked: Have you ever read "A
> Lifetime of Riches: The Biography of
> Napoleon Hill"?

> ***All I have read of his is "Think and
> Grow Rich" and I am betting his
> biography is excellent.

> Thank you for the recommendation!

> With Purpose and Passion,

> JULIE

All I have to do... is drea-ea-ea-ea-eam....
 

> My dinner partner stated, point blank,
> "If you have people who you are
> depending on you, you can't have dreams. You
> just have to live."

> And my response was, "It is precisely
> FOR those people that you MUST continue to
> dream. If your ability to dream dies, what
> do you teach those you love?"

Julie, I agree fully with you.... You MUST continue to dream, for the sake of those you love....

And it is important for them to have THEIR hopes, their dreams, their ambitions too....

I think children probably follow what you DO before they follow what you SAY, so it is important to be a good example! :) It's not enough to tell them "do this, do that" when you're not doing it yourself.... And I believe that's true in pursuit of your dreams.... :)

Though Dan's point was an excellent one, your dreams ought to have some balance and not be completely selfish ones. Perhaps that's what your dinner partner meant?

I believe strongly in the power of dreams.... Sometimes, in my life, I've been criticized for being a "day-dreamer" just living in my "day-dreams".

Yet, it's because of those day-dreams I've managed to have many experiences I never would have had before.... Those day-dreams led me there, and I'm grateful for that. Sowpub itself you could say is the result of a dream.... Thank goodness for those day-dreams! :)

When I was a kid, my parents used to sometimes listen to an Everly Brothers cassette, and I liked it too....

One of their songs was "All I have to do is dream"....

Gosh, I haven't heard the Everly Brothers for probably a couple decades! I think I might go and buy myself a CD.... :)

Thanks Julie for a fascinating topic! :)

Dien Rice

Re: All I have to do... is drea-ea-ea-ea-eam....
 

Hi Dien and All!

> Though Dan's point was an excellent one,
> your dreams ought to have some balance and
> not be completely selfish ones. Perhaps
> that's what your dinner partner meant?

***Yes, Dan's point is quite well taken. The Dreamer he mentioned had a rather selfish dream....the dreams I am referring to would be more inclusive dreams, which enlighten and bring joy not only to the dreamer. Instead, they improve or bring light into the world. Does that make sense?

> Thanks Julie for a fascinating topic! :)

**My pleasure, Dien, as you know this was rattling around my brain since Saturday night. Even some firey karaoke did nothing for getting it out....so it must have been important to talk about here!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE


Dreams Awakened 5passions, too!

The power of a dream....
 

> ***Yes, Dan's point is quite well taken. The
> Dreamer he mentioned had a rather selfish
> dream....the dreams I am referring to would
> be more inclusive dreams, which enlighten
> and bring joy not only to the dreamer.
> Instead, they improve or bring light into
> the world. Does that make sense?

I agree.... The best dreams are those which help others as well as yourself....

It is also a kind of win/win/win thing.... It may be nice to think of oneself first, but it's much nicer (in my view) if you can take your friends and family along in your dream too, where possible....

I have a good friend, who's a good example of this....

He's a dolphin researcher, but now working in the IT industry. Nevertheless, his dream is to start a dolphin research institute....

But it goes beyond that. He wants to bring his friends along too. I've been blown away by what a generous guy he is.... I've tried to help him (to the extent I can) with this endeavour. It's led to some interesting experiences, I wouldn't have had otherwise!

For example, when he was still more active in doing dolphin research work, he used to get contacted by the media quite a lot. He's had various articles written up about him.... He also got interviewed on cable TV....

Once, however, when a TV reporter contacted him, he was in the USA. He contacted me, and asked if I could do the interview....

I contacted the reporter, and said I'd do it on my friend's behalf.... Then I worked like crazy trying to learn all I could about dolphins!

I read my friend's Ph.D. Thesis and tried to understand it. Then, a few days later, we had the interview....

It was here in Sydney, a couple of years ago. I met the reporter and a camera-man, near a bay where many boats were moored in the background.

This interview was for Channel 4 News, I think, in the UK. The reporter told me that she chose that spot because she said to the English audience, it would look like paradise! (The sun, the water, the boats....)

Then she proceeded to interview me. I thought it went okay....

Apparently it showed on the news in the UK. She told me she'd give me a video of it, but unfortunately, she never did, even after I tried to chase it up a few times.... Ah well....

Anyhow, it was a good experience. It was the second time I'd been interviewed for TV.... :) (I'll tell about the first time some other time....)

Anyway, I believe in what you say Julie.... It's good to have dreams, and great to include your friends and family in your dreams too....

:)

Dien Rice

Aiming high or low....
 

Hi Boyd,

I used to read lots of Robert Heinlein when I was a teenager (and younger), though I tended to like his early stuff (pre 1960)....

I think it is good to think big! Here's the way I tend to look at it....

You can aim low, or you can aim high. But if you aim high, and miss, you may still have gained more than if you just aimed low!

So, I think in general it is better to aim high -- at least for the long term!

Then, even if you don't quite make your aim, you'll probably still have done well.... :)

So, I think it's safer to aim too high than to aim too low.... :)

Dien Rice

Thanks Dan.... :)
 

> You quoted Napoleon Hill. Have you ever read
> "A Lifetime of Riches: The Biography of
> Napoleon Hill"? It contains an
> interesting study in this area of Dreams and
> Context.

Thanks Dan, I hadn't heard of that book.... It sounds interesting, and I'll try to get hold of a copy....

Thank you for mentioning it... :)

Dien Rice

Discussing Dreams Births Content... :-)
 

> I agree.... The best dreams are those which
> help others as well as yourself....

Hey Dien and all,

Thats sort of how I see my writing and coaching. Often times through coaching I have my own incredible "a-has" right alongside the people I am serving.

This "Dreams" discussion gave birth to an article, which is now becoming a series of articles.....here is the first installment for your enjoyment.Your Dreams as Touchstones
(c) 2000
Julie Jordan Scott

Miss Foley sits on the floor in front of a semi circle of six year
olds. "What do you dream of being when you grow up?" she asks
he pony tail wearing girls and freckle faced boys.

Bryan doesn't hesitate, "I am going to be a firefighter like my
Uncle Gregg. He is SOOOO brave and his truck is SOOOO cool!"

Kayla smiles, eyes clear as a bell, "I am going to be a movie
star!" She laughs and adds, "I might be a movie star before I grow
up."

The other children respond with their future careers being as
diverse as Gold Medal winning figure skater for Charlene and Professional
baseball player for Todd.

As Bryan, Kayla, Charlene and Todd grow and develop, they
may realize that these dreams are indeed lofty. They may achieve
these particular dreams. On the other hand, chances are that these
dreams will be out of reach.

Entering adulthood, they have several choices: they can follow
the lead of author Napolean Hill and decide to "Cherish your visions
and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blue prints
of your ultimate accomplishments." They may look deep within their
initial dreams and literally give birth to even more powerful, life
changing, community and world altering visions. Or, they can decide
that dreams are impossible. Not for them.

Todd is attracted to bravery, physical prowess, adrenalin pumping,
challenging experiences. If not winning the world series in the ninth
inning of the seventh game, he could follow a career path or create
a lifestyle incorporating those experiences. He could rock climb,
or hang glide, or teach rock climbing or hang gliding. He could
teach baseball. He could play on a community team. He could
work as a Stock broker, or an Attorney, or a Teacher in a tough
neighborhood inspiring students to living full and complete lives.
Think for a moment: how could he express the qualities that made
him aspire to be a professional baseball player?

As a teen, I had the desire to be the next Carly Simon. As I
grew older, I literally fell asleep to that possibility. I would certainly
never be as tall as she is, nor would I marry a rock star like her,
nor would I form a singing group with my sister.

What I did do, though, is realize what it is about my favorite
singer that I could emulate through my life. Carly Simon had a
horrible stutter and awful stage fright. To combat this, she sang.
She started with her sister, Lucy, as the duo "The Simon Sisters."
She parlayed this into a solo career, singing her way out of her
speech impediment. She did not rest on the laurels of being heir
to a publishing empire. She created her own persona. She was
surrounded with successful artistic people. Her sister Joanna is
an accomplished Opera singer, sister Lucy went on to compose
music for Broadway musicals and her brother, Peter is a photographer.

I can apply these lessons to my life as you can too. I can do
those tasks which are the most fear inducing in order to minimize
them, eventually erasing them by continuing to meet them face to
face instead of running from them. I can continue to work on my
craft, writing even when I don't feel like it, using my eraser a lot,
and finding opportunities to meet and surround myself with other
people who are writing, speaking, and coaching. I am now a regular
at Open Mic night at Barnes and Noble here in Bakersfield. This
has been an incredibly fulfilling experience: reading my work for
an audience gives me that immediate response. Powerful. Life
changing. Magnetic.

Dreams draw us forward, towards an even more fulfilling, joyful
and abundant life. Dreams build bridges between where we are
now and where we can be in the future whether that means tomorrow,
six months from now or ten years from now. Fueling our inner drive,
they make our feet light, our tasks exciting instead of burdensome
and our hopes infinitely possible.

Have you revisited your dreams lately? Have you carefully examined
what they are beckoning you towards? In the words of Henry David
Thoreau, "Dreams are the touchstones of our character." What
are your touchstones calling you to be today?

~~~~~~~~~

Had to give a nod to Henry David Thoreau, I love that man! :-)

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE