Do you dream as big as you once did? Of sailing around the world, of finding a cure for cancer or of writing the next great novel? Or are your dreams getting smaller and now miniaturized versions of those from the past? Even worse did your dreams become a casualty of seeing the world as it really is? The sad reality is that dreams die every day, and with their passing comes anguish and a sense of despair. Well, there is hope! That despair can be replaced with a sense of purpose and renewed passion.

Accept Reality

Years ago, I dreamed bigger than I do now. They were more grand, but they were also one-dimensional and never bigger than a reality that I could envision. Most were economic in nature with these common threads; work incredibly hard, overcome insurmountable odds, and reap the financial rewards. Well, like so many others, I did work incredibly hard in both academic and professional settings, I did overcome insurmountable odds at the expense of much time and treasure. While I was able to provide a comfortable life for my family, the rewards were not exactly commensurate with the efforts. Does that dream sound familiar? Did that dream die in silence? Hardly.

Later, my dreams of living a life that was free from illness and resistant to the ravages of aging would be shattered as well. Did that dream die in silence? My guess is that you can answer that one for me.

Embrace Change

A few weeks back, I wrote a post entitled How to Keep Your Dreams Alive! This weeks post could easily be renamed The Death of a Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Dr. Henry Cloud in his book entitled Necessary Endings writes that some dreams need to die to make room for new and even better dreams. Maybe some of those earlier dreams were unrealistic illusions that were driving me to a life that was unhealthy and world view that was self-centered. Is the dream that has served as a beacon ultimately putting me on a path of self-destruction? If so, that dream must die. Strong words, I know.

Celebrate Confidently

With that being said, there are times when a dream must die so that a new dream can take its place; one that is better, more fulfilling and that brings with it a future that is rich in ways that surpass our imaginations. These new and improved dreams have the potential to eclipse what we never before could have imagined. That is where I find myself now. I am living a dream that is richer, deeper and has the potential to enrich the lives of so may others. And yours can too.

Did that old dream die in silence? Not at all, but the sounds of anguish were replaced with those of laughter and demands of self-indulgence were substituted with an opportunity to serve others in need.

Maybe it’s time to find peace in the death of those old dreams. What you hear may be what has been absent for far too long; laughter, a sense of purpose and a connection to community. The death of a dream is a terrible thing to waste.

Ivy is still asleep this morning, judging from the sounds she is making, she too is realizing one of her dreams. I suspect it has something to do with stealing food off the counter and chasing the cat.

Thanks for reading, liking and sharing.

Al and his faithful sidekick, Ivy the wonder pup.