If I were to write your horoscope, it would say: "This is the year to cast aside doubts, fears, and caution. This is the year to let yourself fly." How do you do that? It's like this...
Do you have a dream? Of course you do. We all do. But if you haven't thought about it for awhile, if you haven't developed it in your mind in full living color, then now is the time to do so. Ending a year is so symbolic. While in reality, it's just another new day, mentally we are casting off all the old, shaking off the troubles and blasting through the bumps and roadblocks. They were so last year. Let's refresh that dream of what we want life to be and remind ourselves -- in excruciating detail -- what that looks and feels like. Now we are ready to make it happen.
Are you sure this is what you want? It's easy to be wistful, to think "if only..." But what is actually stopping you? And what is the price you are paying for allowing that to stop you? How much of yourself, your soul, are you giving up to maintain the status quo? Is the status quo even what you want? Is it even part of your dream? If you are going to expend the energy to dream, don't be a wimp. Dream it and do it. You don't have to do it all today, right now, this minute, but if you know in your heart of hearts that you will never do it, don't torture yourself. If it is something that you will never do, it is not because you are weak or you are bad. It's because it's not you. It's not your real dream. And that's okay. Congratulate yourself for recognizing this and moving on. Don't brush by this part. This is the most important. Are you sure? Okay, when you are, read on.
How does imagining yourself in this dream make you feel? For those of us lucky enough to have experienced the feeling of "right," it's as if something was just placed into its custom setting and clicked right into place. The only better word to describe it than "click" might be "pling." It's magic. It's effortless. It's just, well, right. Now don't get frustrated if that feeling has been elusive or you don't know what the heck I'm talking about. Maybe you have to start slower. First decide if anything about your dream doesn't sit right. Do you have any physical feelings of distress, discomfort, or conversely of lightness and easiness. How would you describe your emotions or your moods while thinking of this dream? These are important road signs -- subtle but very telling. Listen to them. Read them. Heed them.
Then are you ready to take the first step? Okay, so all the signs are positive so far. This dream feels good and right. This is the dream you want to pursue. Now what do you do? Well really, do you have to ask? You just did the hardest part? (Why is being honest with yourself so hard?) When you find the right dream, you simply need to put one foot in front of the other. One step at a time. That's all. There should be a big "Start Here" bubble just in front of you. Interestingly, it's the same place you should be if you've discovered you've been chasing the wrong dream. Boy have you got some interesting discoveries ahead. There is a fantastic journey awaiting you. I can't wait for you to set out on the path.
Where do you go from here? It depends. Have you got your dream all worked out? Do you know what it tastes, smells, looks and feels like? Then take any step that is going to bring you closer to that reality. MOVE. Are you still wondering? Then keep trying things on, but do so in a very mindful, purposeful manner. Remain open, remain ready, and as soon as you see your opening, spread your wings and soar.
For some of us, the answers are right underneath our noses. We've been sitting on them all along and just didn't realize it. For others we've been fooling ourselves or there's something bigger yet to be discovered. Which is it for you? You will never know unless you throw caution to the wind. This is your dream. Give it everything you've got. And it's the new year, so if you've been waiting for the right moment, it has arrived.
Cindy Tansin is author of the book Lead With Your Heart and the Rest will Follow. Her expertise is in promoting personal and professional growth, addressing issues of mind, body, spirit, and financial soundness. Follow her at www.cindytansin.com