A Crash Course in Dream Chasing

It's been seven months since I made my dream come true and published my first novel, A Stop in the Park, a candid story of a family's struggle to rediscover their love and dreams amid the frenetic pace and demanding schedules of life today.

Besides the obvious satisfaction I felt by seeing my work in print, I also learned quite a bit about dream chasing that I'd like to share with you.

Making a Dream Come True

I'm following my dreams. It sounds whimsical, almost magical, doesn't it? Someone who knows what they want from life and is willing to go after it. I know I admire individuals who abandon protocols and traditions to venture off on a calling that may seem crazy or unobtainable. Most of us however, opt for safety.

Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse, who became popular when she blogged about the top five regrets of her dying patients revealed the number one regret. You guessed it. "Letting dreams go unfulfilled." They left earth without addressing what they were truly summoned to do, or at least try.

Why do we let this happen? We are given the gift of a life then live it cautiously instead of spreading our wings and soaring into what fascinates us most. It may be pursuing a competitive career such as music, a physical challenge like walking the Appalachian Trail, or a humanitarian goal like working on a mission in a foreign country.

I suppose it's because we fear failure, worry about money, and don't have the time. So we go about our days frustrated because we're not doing what inspires us. Intrigued by the topic of dream neglect, I wrote a novel, A Stop in the Park, about a married couple who are following a prescription for a successful life. Michael, the husband, has a lucrative job as an attorney, which allows his wife, Jamie, a former journalist, to stay home with their two daughters. They have all the luxuries money can buy, but are miserable and on the brink of divorce.

Why?

Because they aren't following their dreams—and they're not big dreams, like being an NBA basketball player or a movie star. Michael discovers he would like to teach music to disadvantaged kids and Jamie wants to be a farmer. How can they embark on a new life when they are buried deep in obligations and debt?

Here's what Michael says when he contemplates chasing his dream:

“Maybe dream chasing is like climbing a mountain. You know, finding the trail, stepping onto it. At first you're energetic and it's easy. Then you trip over a root, face a huge boulder, or a steep incline. So you stand up after the fall, find your way around the boulder, and trudge up the vertical. Eventually, you're on top of the mountain with an expansive view of the world."

What do some people who have realized their dreams have to say:

"Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness."—Oprah Winfrey

"You're time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's dream. Don't be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They already somehow know what you truly want to become."—Steve Jobs

"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heatedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results."—Michael Jordan

 Here are some their stumbling blocks, along withothers who persisted with their dreams:

What’s your dream? Have you stepped into it yet? If not, what’s stopping you?