It is really hard having a big dream, says CAROLE ANN RICE
HAVE you ever held on to a big dream so much it has turned to plutonium in your mind? What was once a delightful vision to work towards goes from a joyful horn of plenty to a poisoned chalice always out of arm’s reach.
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Sometimes we want something so badly it turns toxic. We obsess for the phone to ring, for people to see our staggering genius, to want and buy our wild ideas.
We long to receive confirmation through the post of a job interview/college place/ manuscript or book proposal.
We start behaving like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, storming around and mono-focused about the day the stars are in alignment and our dream is delivered.
Wild-eyed we watch others reaching their dream or having what we want and seethe with quiet envy.
Some wish they had a passion in life while for others it can feel like a curse
We bore family and friends with our endless chat about our book synopsis or fitness plan and ride the emotional waves of knock-backs and hitches with loved ones looking on seasick with tension.
The thing is, it is really hard having a big dream or a life goal.
It takes courage and faith to feel the psychic and soulful tug of its calling and follow this treacherous but wonderful path that is not lined with guarantees or certainties.
Some wish they had a passion in life while for others it can feel like a curse, a fire in their bones that won’t let them rest.
There are, however, ways of holding on to a big dream – without it destroying your energy and eating up your todays while you fixate on tomorrow.
You can enjoy the journey as much as the destination. First of all, get clear on what you want and why you want it.
What are the predominant feelings associated with having this goal? Create a timeline of steps and how long, realistically, it will take to get there. Build in landmark moments along the journey to mark your progress. Surround yourself with champions and cheerleaders.
You need radiators not drains. There will always be someone who is threatened by your ambition who wants to rain on your parade.
Find a tribe of like-minded people or get a mentor who has been there before to guide you.
Be patient because dreams are like creation and giving birth. It takes time, labour and pain but it is worth it. Understand that you are special as you are. You are in a VIP club of about 2 per cent of the population: those prepared to get out of their comfort zone and follow their dreams, dare to have adventures, live without limits and aim for fulfilment and abundance.
Yay you!
Spend spare moments of the day daydreaming your big vision, bringing it to life, feeling it, smelling it and living it to raise your vibrational energy.
Decide to have fun and enjoy every day so that you are not living life on hold but make it a journey of excitement and curiosity to the destination.
As one friend told me 25 years ago: “Hold on lightly to your dream like a butterfl y in your hand.”
She went on to win a £100million contract with China for her products.
Keep your head in the stars but your tootsies in the green grass of now to follow your dreams and have a life well lived. We applaud you.
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Hard work strikes the right note
It was good to see Sir Tim Rice talking at the A Word In Your Ear event and revealing hitherto unseen sides of the great lyricist.
He has a Tony, a Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Award to his songwriting credits but it was his intimate asides that really told of a rich and cultured life.
He met Andrew Lloyd Webber, right, at just 19 when the composer dreamed of musical theatre and made miniature stages of cardboard to create his imaginings. This is real vision making and dream manifestation.
He counts rock star Alice Cooper as a mate and recalled a time performing in Paris when both artist Salvador Dali and comedian Frankie Howerd were in the audience – few performers could boast such a surreal combination.
His biggest regret was once being arm’s length from Sinatra but missing his moment to meet Ol’ Blue Eyes. Regrets he had a few but, then again, too few to mention.
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Novel way to dust off the blues
April is Stress Awareness Month and anxiety and tension affect us all. Walking in nature, meditation and relaxing can help.
For some, though, housework is the key. Cleaning appliance manufacturer Karcher found that a third of the people they surveyed admitted cleaning makes them calmer and that just 13 minutes helps reduce anxiety.
A third confessed to cleaning things that don’t need cleaning just to feel less stressed.
So when your partner storms through the door tonight, try handing them a mop or duster. Worth a go. Good luck.