Like the subject of love, the concept of dreams has been woven throughout literature, music, religion, entertainment, sports and now business, for millennia. From Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, “Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men,” to Eleanor Roosevelt, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” to Jesse Owen, “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort,” dreams have been the basis for the creation of ideas that evolved culture, changed thought, developed vital innovations.
But what are dreams?
Some consider them unreal as they aren’t solid, aren’t the result of some software program, or aren’t able to be captured, packaged and sold. Some consider dreams unnecessary and that life will mechanically progress in a pre-determined direction. Some consider dreams can be manipulated with drugs or electronics.
Often clarification comes from the derivation of the term or idea. In the case of ’dreams’ the derivation is from Old Icelandic and means just that, ’dreams.’ The definitions also seem ambiguous at best, offering no definitive insight.
As a community of Dream to Mainstreamers, let’s take the reins here and provide definition or direction that can inspire and motivate the inherent art of dreaming, (and later we offer tips on ways to Mainstream them).
Dreams are real. A dream comes from you. Like you, a dream is not restricted by the physical universe. A dream is free to be the initiation point, like soil is for a seed, to sprout a new design, a new song, a new clever solution to a trying conundrum. Dreams are ageless and yes, free from external influences. Dreams are the canvas for thought. Dreams are the vitamins of the soul.
Of course you can follow your dreams, but it is best to understand what a dream is for you before you head down a trail to a goal undefined. Your dream is yours. Your vision. Your creation. And yours to take as far as you want to go.
The recipe for dreaming is simple and fun, recommended as a daily ritual to enhance life and wellbeing:
- Find a favorite spot, far from distractions.
- Breathe slowly. Deeply.
- Leave the current stresses behind. Release yourself and your thoughts.
- Soar unrestricted.
- Dream big in any sector of thought.
- Capture them – all of them – without prejudice or consideration.
- Write ‘em down.
- Smile.
- Feel possibility. Limitless and true.
Your dreams are your future, the future of any and all areas where you want to create, areas for which you want to be responsible, areas for future play.
Life is better when you dream. We are here to help bring them to mainstream.
Gillian