If money wasn't an object...
If you knew you could not fail...
If you had support...
If you could do what you always dreamed about...

If you had one wish...what would it be?

Sometimes the hardest part is realizing your dream. It certainly sounds simple enough right?

Yet, for some of us, it takes a long time to figure out what our dream really is. We get caught up in the working world living out someone else's dream. We get hung up on the "Oh my gosh I don't have enough money to do what I always wanted to do." You might have people telling you, "That's never going to work." Perhaps you don't know where to start or maybe you just haven't figured out what your dream is. All you know, is that you are not living out your dream at this moment.

It's OK, you just haven't had your "Ah ha" moment yet.

For me it happened during a fundraising conference at the non profit I was working for at the time. The coordinator of the conference started things off by asking us to stand up, tell everyone your name, how long you had been with the organization, your title and if you weren't fundraising, what would you be doing.

I mean nano seconds after she finished her sentence I heard myself saying to myself..."writing".

I loved my job, right? I mean, I was good at it, they promoted me, I exceed my goal they set for me...yet the first thought in my head wasn't fundraising, it was writing. Hmmm

I sat patiently as one by one each person stood up and did as she had asked. The funny thing is, that by the time it got around to me, and I was one of the last ones to go, I had realized something. Not a single person said "Oh I am doing what I always dreamed I would be doing." not one. How sad I thought.

And then it was my turn. "Hi my name is Terri, I have been here for...blah, blah, blah...if I wasn't fundraising I would be...writing." 

I sat back down and it felt as if someone had deflated my balloon. Wow, it hit me hard, I am NOT doing what I always dreamed I would be doing. Crap! I guess finally saying it out loud was my "Ah ha" moment.

I wasn't sure how or when, but I told myself that I was going to do what I had always dreamed about doing. I was going to write!

I guess this is where I am supposed to tell you that I went off and did just that. Well, not quite. I stayed there for a few more years, then felt called to go to another non profit, stayed there a few years. Then my father's cancer came back with a vengeance. While taking care of my dad during his final months it was then that I realized I needed to make my dream into a reality. Life is precious and too unbelievably short to not do what you love.

So here I am...writing. A blog.

Is it the same dream I had envisioned during my "Ah ha" moment? Well, if I'm honest with myself, not quite. I pictured myself sitting in a bookstore signing the hot new best seller I had just written. Yea, not really me I guess. No formal training, I just love to write, poems, thoughts, stories, whatever strikes me at the time. However, am I enjoying myself? Yes, I truly am.

Am I now living my dream? I've realized that your dream can come in many different ways. It doesn't always have to be this big grandiose adventure. We all can't be famous or live a life of luxury. I enjoy helping other people. So during my day job I do just that. I help people, small non profits, people that have their own dream. Maybe I am giving them fundraising tips, setting up marketing plans or maybe I am just giving them the encouragement they need to move forward, one step closer to making their dreams into a reality.

So while my dream is to write..and I am, I also want to help people along the way...and I am. I don't need to be a famous author in order to say that I am living my dream. I am living a life that I am in control of and doing what I love. We all still have responsibilities and life tasks that need to be done. But if you can find a balance to do those and live your dream, then in my book (figuratively speaking of course) that is living your dream.

Don't let the world tell you that you can't, don't let money or experience get in your way, don't let negativity overcome you. Find that person that lifts you up. Maybe it's your husband, your kids, your friend or an article you've read, some inspirational quote...Hold on to that and make your dream into a reality.

If your dream is to write...start writing.
If your dream is to help others...start volunteering.
If your dream is to climb a mountain...start training.
If your dream is to travel the world and take pictures...do it!

No matter what your dream is, the only one keeping you from moving in that direction is you. Believe in yourself, make a commitment to yourself and don't dwell on the past. Look forward, change the way you have been thinking and don't let anyone tell you that your dream isn't possible. If you believe in it, then it is possible. Remember, it might not happen over night or in the way you had it pictured in your mind. However, steps, no matter how tiny, are steps in the direction of your dream.

Realize your dream.

If you had one wish...what would it be?

Perhaps I will see you in the bookstore one day. ;)

Side note: Please visit www.cathyflewthecoop.com a friend of mine and a great example of someone overcoming a life changing obstacle, realizing her dream and turning it into a reality. I truly hope she writes a book one day, she has quite a story to tell.



"Every single day, do something that makes your heart sing." -Marcia Wieder


I was going through the aisles looking for stationary to put into a care package for my daughter who is away at school.  For those of you who know me, yes, it has been less than a week, but I am missing her already and just wanted to send her some love from home. 

So I thought I would get some stationary for her to write home with. And yes, it could happen!

As I was breezing the aisle this one kind of jumped out at me. I guess it was one of those simple things that just makes you stop and think for a minute. I stood in the aisle reading the quote over and over and grinning. "Yes!" Then I quickly looked around realizing I just said that out loud. I put the stationary in my cart and headed to the checkout. Talking to myself the whole way. 

It was a simple statement, but so true.I mean, we only get one chance at this life right? Well then, we need to make the most of it...

Dance in the rain if it makes you happy. Dance even if it's not one of your best talents.

Sing as if you are the hottest pop star on the charts, even if you can't carry a tune and the person driving next to you keeps staring.

Don't worry about what you look like all the time, if you like that oversize t-shirt, wear it! Your husband married you not your clothes.

Don't wait for tomorrow to do what you have always wanted to do, tomorrow isn't promised.

Believe in yourself, because you are worth it.

Live everyday to it's fullest...Laugh out loud...Love deeply.

Spend time doing what makes you happy, what makes you smile, what makes your heart sing.

Yea, I know, I got all of that from a quote on a piece of stationary? Well, I did. I guess it was an "Ahha" moment for me.

And you know what, if your little girl wants to get in the horses water trough and play on a hot day...why not! Watching the joy on her face made my heart sing. (The horses thought we lost it though!)

  So go out and make your heart sing today!