Field of Dreams

Greetings friends! I am a few weeks away from a dream that has been a long time coming. And I mean a long time.

When I was 10, I knew wanted to write a book. I had no clue what I was going to write about, but I knew for a fact that I wanted to write one.

In between my 10 year-old fantasies and life today, some other dreams made their way into my consciousness and my experience, and the book dream got put on hold – even forgotten. New dream seeds were watered and cared for, and I grew up – or at least I grew older.

In the meantime, other dreams bloomed. Becoming a firefighter was one of those dreams. I learned a lot about dreams on that particular journey.
A couple of years ago, I finally decided to satisfy my decades old dream. And now the book is finally at the cusp of becoming! I’ll be keeping you posted on that!

In the meantime, I want to share the most important steps I have found to assist you in the creation of your own field of dreams.

Steps to Create Your Dreams

1. Make a Commitment to Yourself
Make a commitment to yourself to follow your dreams; don’t get distracted by other people’s opinions.
When I decided that I wanted to become a firefighter, I faced some naysayers and doubters. I didn’t let that get the best of me. I put myself first; I gave myself a chance to try and go for it.
When you make a commitment to yourself, you are honoring your being at a very deep and powerful level. And you are setting the stage for everything else to fall into place.

2. Dare to Dream BIG
What do you really want? What makes your heart “sing?”
I was always aware of the inner tug I felt about putting my pen to paper. When the book dream revisited me as an adult, I noticed the same excitement in my belly I had felt as a youngster. And now the childhood dream that had once seemed like an enormous impossibility felt palpable and close. For me it didn’t matter that years had gone by; the dream still felt potent, and now I was ready to do something about it.
Pay attention to the dreams that stay with you. They want to be born.

3. Visualize Your Achievements
The power of your imagination is incredible! Athletes often achieve unbelievable results. One of the tools they use is visualizing where they want to be, before they have actually gotten there.
On my way to becoming a firefighter someone once told me, “You have to be a firefighter before you become a firefighter.” As my journey progressed in its ups and downs, I saw the character and the qualities that I was building along the way, and I knew I was building the traits I wanted to embody as a firefighter. I could feel myself becoming a firefighter.
Focus on where you want to be.

4. ACT on Your Heart’s Desires
Take action. Read books, talk with people, build skills, find a mentor, ask questions. Trust that every step is bringing you closer to your goals.
When I finally decided to make the book dream a reality, I took inspired action steps. I joined a year-long artists immersion program. When I first heard about the program, I knew that it would benefit me to have structure, goal setting, and the support of others. Every week I held myself to a goal that would facilitate forward movement.
Come up with your action steps. They will be the ones that feel right to you.

5. Take It One Step at a Time
Remember to stay open to changes that present themselves and be willing to focus on where you are in the moment.
Sometimes my creative mind was on fire, writing the book. Other times, a frustrating lull prevailed. I tried to accept and learn from each moment. Every moment was an integral part of the whole process.
Don’t burn yourself out by pushing. One step at a time will get you to your goal.

6. Give Yourself Permission to “Fail” and “Make Mistakes”
Remember that in every “failure” or “mistake” you are learning something valuable and moving forward.
I made a lot of mistakes and had many failures before I got my fire badge. I didn’t quit after my failures, although sometimes I felt like it. I realized I was learning a lot from my mistakes. It made me humble and appreciate my dream even more.
Be good to yourself. It is Ok to make mistakes.

7. Appreciate Where You Are Right Now
Find the positive angle of the journey where you presently reside and do not get wrapped up in thinking only about the destination.
Remember to have fun along the way. Appreciating where you are in the moment, will actually get you closer to your dream.

8. Surround Yourself with Loving and Supportive People
Positive and supportive people will encourage and help you and see you for who you are and who you can become.
I did not get to the fire service or write a book on my own. Supportive mentors, firefighters, fellow artists, friends, and family cheered me, buoyed me and supported me along the way.
Find your allies and know that the universe is on your side as well!