Dare to Be Statement: I do not dismiss my dreams because of my lack of ability, rather I look for a different way to make them a reality.

“Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”  ~ Les Brown

We had the privilege of presenting our Dare to Be the Change workshop to two beautiful (inside and out) young women, Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake Erika Ingram and Kelowna’s Princess Breanne Cadham.

There was one point in the conversation where Breanne expressed her desire to go to medical school and then to volunteer through Doctors Without Borders in a third world country.  I sighed, thinking of the many times I wished I had such a skill that could be utilized to save lives.  Then Erika brought to my attention a very important point, she said, “You don’t have to be a doctor to help, my father organized a trip and took with him doctors and surgeons to perform corrective surgery for those born with a cleft palette.  He wasn’t a doctor but he was able to carry patients, and assist the doctors in numerous ways to make this endeavor a success.  So don’t give up on that dream.”

I appreciate this comment because it really did awaken that dream again, and I realized that I can’t discount myself because I don’t have a certain skill, but rather I need to accept and utilize the skills I do have to then make it happen.  I am sure that all of you have felt this way about something in your life, you tell yourself you can’t do it just because you may not have the formal training, the perfect talent or the money needed.  But I know you need to believe in the power of your dreams, no matter what.  Where there’s a will there’s a way, it may just take looking at your dream from a different angle to find a way to make it a reality.

This week I dare you to:

• Think about a dream you have dismissed.  Now take away all the excuses and reasons why you think you can’t do it and just write it down on your list.  If you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it happen.  There is also something magical about writing your dreams down, it seems things tend to fall into place when we least expect it and in a way we never would have thought possible.
• Make your “Dream List.”  Just start writing don’t ask how, when or with what money.  If you could do anything, anywhere, anytime what would it be.  What are some of your biggest dreams, and write down those simple dreams as well.  Your list could include things from watching a sunset with loved ones to building an orphanage in Peru.  Just write, and don’t stop.  Let yourself be completely in the moment, and when you hear that little voice start to convince you not to write something, push those thoughts out of your mind and just write!
• Choose one Dream from your list and take 5 minutes each morning to think about, visualize and enjoy “daydreaming” about your chosen dream.  When you hold your dreams close to your hearts and minds you will find that little ideas and thoughts will begin to form and will eventually take you in the right direction to living those dreams.