The beginning or the end?

How many people do you know who are willing to give up everything they have come to know for a dream? More often than not, people tend to lean toward comfort zones, things they've always done and people they've almost always known.  What would compel you to go further or do things differently than before?  You can't change what you didn't do but the future is up to you.

For some people, life begins when they start something new.  For others, life as they know it seems to end. Taking a risk doesn't have to be scary.  Exhilaration can actually be stimulating.  Your mindset and attitude are the result of choices.  You decide consciously and unconsciously what you want and then proceed to live your life accordingly.

Consider a man who contemplated attending his highschool reunion. It would've been a 50 year event for him, if he had gotten himself together to go.  He was interested to find out what had happened to an old girlfriend.  He decided he could get the information 'through the grapevine.'  Why is it that people allow fear to control their choices? What will you do next time?

Do it your way

To dream of success is like to pave the way to what you desire, or is it? Have you learned to do things your way or, are you in a process of figuring out what this is? This picture will evolve to include different components at different phases of your life. How you perceive and understand your thoughts will reflect how well you know yourself.

For example, I spoke with a financially-successful businessman in his early twenties. He made some smart investment deals and then became involved in retail. His business partner is Indian (born abroad). This partner's mother has decided the business partners will take a trip with her to India to find suitable wives.

Consider that these men have different ideas of business success and also about their respective personal lives. New facets of success may or may grow out of their upcoming trip. Neither man truly desires to go for the same reasons, and both have agreed to go for reasons other than those initially intended by one business partner's mother.

Each person, when viewing success, may have an ulterior motive, a secret dream unknown to others. Would you share how you really feel? The individuals in this scenario who plan their trip to India may well discover they will have gone for reasons unknown to them even before their departure. Time will tell and your intuition leaves clues.

Some dreams are dormant. Some dreams are waiting. Some dreams are created from the moment you conjure thoughts. Do it your way. You'll make the right decision for you at the right time.

More than a glimpse in a crowd

Some people believe you can send out energy into the universe and something comparable will come back to you.  Perhaps you don't think this is so strange?  You may hope for a special person to enter your life or, for a more compassionate boss to take over from where your previous boss had been. Will your wishes come true? And if so, why might conditions you desire seem to appear out of thin air?

Nothing comes from nothing. You have some impact on everything that happens and even on everything that doesn't happen.  You create the life you lead as the result of your choices.  Even invisible helpers help bring you what you ask for, whether or not you realize it.  How might they hear your call? Which sorts of situations seem to happen as you think of them? Actions and events can be extensions of thoughts and things beyond you.

For example, today, I experienced a multicultural festival.  Over 68 countries were represented by musicians, cuisine, and creative arts arranged in and around tents and stages in a park.  As I explored, I lingered to listen to a gifted Welsh harp player.  I bought her CD and continued to discover other parts of the grounds.  All-the-while, the mingling crowd was growing from ~50,000-150,000 people. 

After pasing through different tents, I figure ~30 minutes passed before I was inside the Polish cultural tent. To myself, I had been thinking how great it would've been if I had asked that Welsh musician to sign my CD.  Lo and behold, she appeared and willingly signed it.   I sensed her presence meant more to me than a glimpse in a crowd, so I asked her a few questions.

Connections evolved as I inquired about her last name.  She told me it was native to where my father had grown up.  She knew the coastal town I'd visit within days and it appeared her relations had attended university with the friend who stood beside me.  This harp player also knew a world famous harp maker known personally by the friend who was standing with me.  Some people are content to say "small world."  I tend to believe in far more than that.   What you learn from apparent strangers may not reveal strangers at all. 

Meaning under a rock

Dream relationships are often perceived as those with 'staying power.' Yet, where are they? Do you sometimes feel that true meaning in your life is something you may have to seek out like a mystery friend under a rock? 

You might imagine people who always seem to be ready, willing and available to help you out of a bind.  You mind may wander to someone who is willing to stick by you during peaceful and chaotic times, during transitions and other life changes.  You may think of people who have been there through "think and thin."  You may ask yourself where you could seek out people like that to enter your life.

As time passes, you may consider true friendship as being the kind of relationship where you feel comfortable to express your feelings, and prepared for an honest assessment of your behavior.   

As a benchmark, reflect on how you treat others and what sorts of qualities you would like to condition into yourself.  You may benefit from rethinking how you attract your relationships.  The mindset you nurture for and inside you is what you invite into your life.  If you're not experiencing the relationships you desire and think you need, review the signals you send.

Upcoming destinations

I'll be on the move in August and look forward to sharing exciting events and experiences in Canada, Finland, Hong Kong and Japan.  I welcome your thoughts on these and other destinations.   How do your dreams relate particular places in your past, present and future?  How would you like travel to be part of your life or not?