Impossible To Inevitable: Dare To Dream Big (And 5 Tips To Get You Started!)

Part One

"So many of our dreams at first seem Impossible,
then they seem Improbable,
and then when we Summon the Will,
they soon become Inevitable."

Christopher Reeves

Newsflash: The economy is a mess!

OK, now that's out of the way. Can we talk? Since the world seems to be unraveling and everyone's walking around like a bunch of pretzels, all contorted and screwed up in our bodies and minds because we're scared you-know-whatless, it occurred to me that now might just be the perfect time to haul out those big dreams you packed away, gave up on, or never even started. This could be the perfect moment pick one up, dust it off and go for it. Seems we all have a whole lot less to lose than we did six months ago. So why not?

Actually the spark of this idea came from a reader, livelovelaugh14, in response to last week's post: What Would You Do If You Knew You Couldn't Fail? LLL14 responded with: "I would get a new dream". Great idea! Thanks! That got me to thinking about the kind of dreams we dare not to dream.

You know, the ones so big and overwhelming, so scary and seemingly impossible, you can't even begin to wrap your mind around them? I'm talking about the kind of dreams that make your toes curl and your stomach churn and make you ask yourself, " Who do you think you are to have such a dream?"

Good question! But how about this: "Who do you think you're not?"

What's the story you tell yourself about why your dream is impossible? You're too old, too young, don't have the right education or experience? You don't have the money, the time? Nobody would support you, you don't have enough self-discipline? You're not worthy or deserving? You might fail so why bother? You might succeed and then what?

Or how about the latest primo excuse for not _______ (fill in)? "In this economy......"

"Dreams are the answers to questions that we haven't yet figured out how to ask."
Fox Muldar

The Story of Phillipe Petit- Man On Wire! And Oscar Winner

This is the story of one man's impossible dream. He did something no one in the world had ever done before or will ever do again. It's impossible! Listen to this.

Phillipe Petit is a French"wire walker". As a young boy, Petit dreamed of dancing on a high wire, but settled for a rope strung between two trees instead. (Last week, we imagined being on a wire. This week, we're actually going there with someone who lives on one.)

Phillipe spent his much of his adult life as a street performer, and spent hot summer days performing on the streets of Paris, juggling balls and fruit, while riding a unicycle. But this was child's play for him. His sights were set much higher. Literally.

Petit was a bit of a rascal, to put it mildly. To live his passion required that he take his street performances to the farthest edges he could imagine and he almost always ended up being arrested at the end of each act, for what he did was clearly outside the law.

One day, while visiting his dentist because of a toothache, he picked up a magazine in the waiting room and read a story that would fire his imagination and take him to a place no human being has been before or will be again. He began to dream a dream that looked completely impossible, which to his way of thinking meant, "Go for it". So he made a plan and set to work.

After many years of dreaming, planning and false starts, on August 7, 1974, Petit, together with his team of co-conspirators, managed to rig a wire between the Twin Towers of the World Trace Center and spent 45 minutes dancing on it, before the police threatened to pluck him off it with a helicopter and he chose to come off on his own.

His amazing story is the subject of the 2008 documentary, Man On Wire! which just won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. In accepting the award, the director, James Marsh, told the audience, "Nothing is impossible". Then, Petit, in typical fashion, bounded up on stage and gave the shortest acceptance speech in Oscar history. Here it is:

It just doesn't get much better than this!

If you think your dreams are too far out of reach, this 10-minute video montage of Petit's story might change your mind and make you a believer. Behold!:

Any questions? The man who danced between the towers now can only dream of what he did, for the towers didn't even exist when he caught the dream, and now no longer exist. This is indeed Oscar winning material! But what about you? Let's explore how you might pull off your own impossible dreams.

5 tips to help you get started:

( There are many tips to share, too many for one post. So next week we'll look at 5 more. In the coming weeks, we'll flesh each one out in detail. So stay tuned.)

1) Find something tangible that represents your dream. It should be something that evokes the dream in your body, mind and spirit and calls forth your passion. It might be a photo, or a page torn from a magazine, like Phillipe did at the dentist's office. It could be a small statue or object. Put your dream in tangible form.

2) Create a sacred space for your object with the intention of incubating your dream. You might choose the top of a bookcase, a shelf or a dresser top. Include a beautiful piece of fabric upon which to place candles, photos, statues, flowers; whatever brings you back to your dream vision and fires your imagination. (There's much more to explore here. This is a big one!)

3) Declare your dream to a community of kindred spirits who will say "yes" and will support you finding the path. (This is another "big" one)

I've created a group on Facebook called The Impossible Dreamers. Anyone can join. Come start an impossible dream revolution! Use this space to declare your dream and ask for support getting there. Invite your friends. Think of the energy you'll bring to your dreams when 100's of people are holding your vision with you. If you're not yet on Facebook, jump on. It's up to you how much or how little you use it. It doesn't have to take over your life. Make it work for you. In a pinch, you can always come back here and play Petit's acceptance speech.

4) Don't be attached to how you get there. Philippe and his co-hort, Jim Moore, were stopped by the security guard at the elevators on their first attempt to get to the top of the tower. So they decided to walk to the top. 110 floors! There's more than one way to get from A -Z, or even A-B, so don't get stuck on the mechanism. Chances are, you'll have to re-invent the path 100 times. Or 101.

5) Be willing to do whatever it takes. . Impossible is only a word. It's not a fact. Re-interpret what it means. Remember, Petit began by acknowledging that his dream was surely impossible. Then he said, "OK, let's get to work." And he did. Keep in mind however, "doing whatever it takes" could have adverse consequences if you don't stay smart. So be smart and don't compromise your integrity or inflict harm on others.

Come to think of it, these are all really big, important things to keep in mind. There's so much more to say than can be contained in a single blog. That's why I hope you'll stay tuned and come back as we'll be following this thread for several weeks. And invite your friends to join us!

Here's my impossible dream: to write a best selling book that makes a difference in people's lives and be on Oprah! Kind of like the more "seasoned' version of Elizabeth Gilbert, with a few twists thrown in just to make it interesting. Why not? (Small detail: the book's not written yet, but I've taken the first steps, so consider it done). The writing part doesn't seem impossible but the Oprah part? Well, let's just say I've got some work to do. So let me get busy. Oprah, are you listening?

Til next time, if you have stories about people (maybe even you!) who pulled off what they thought was impossible I'd love to hear about it. Please send them to me at [e-mail]. They might even end up in my book!

Also, let us hear about your impossible dreams. What's the dream that's so big, you dare not dream it? What are you saying "no" to? What's in the way of "yes"? How do you imagine your life would be different if your impossible dream came true?

And thank you for being part of this vibrant community of readers!

Comments

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

It seems to me that I am so focused on 4) and 5) that I never seem to find the time for 1)-3). The result is, of course, that I am head over heels into being busy doing everything - to move all the way forward and getting closer to .... the full realization of that totally undefined dream!

Could be a good moment to slow down a little. Or define a goal or something. Just kidding. What I am trying to say is that it is probably helpful to go through 1-5 periodically and repeatedly, with updates and notes taken about the process (but not so much the progress). At least for me that's important in my work. Otherwise I am too afraid of those folks with their all-time hit-single 'who are you to have such a dream'.

[condor101]

Dr. Rich,

I read the title and opened the link, but It took me 3 days before I actually read the article. I knew that your article would resonate with me and place me in face of my greatest problem when it concerns the fruition of my ideas: Quitting. I often have amazing ideas and follow through to a degree, and then when I see some result, I quit. I distract myself and in effect, leave my 'brilliant idea' hanging in the air.
I am grateful that you wrote this article and that I found it on huffington post.
I am inspired by your article so that I can break the habit of quitting on my ideas. It's not easy to break this habit. In some odd sense, I think I am afraid of my own success. I understand that accomplishments are not given, but are the result of hard work and determination. With that in mind, I still find it difficult to stop my habit of quitting on my ideas.
I joined your group on facebook, as I think it will be an inspiration for me to change my behavior. I have already started making a list of actions.
Thank you!
-Giancarlo

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear condor101,

Thanks for your comment. I know the feeling of going 99% of the way and then dropping out. That was my pattern as well. Much easier to say I didn't succeed because I didn't give my all than to give it my all and have no excuses for not succeeding. Giving 99% leaves the door open for 1000 excuses for not.......... (fill in).

The keys is to get to the bottom of what has you sabotage yourself. You say you think you're afraid of your own success. What do you fear will happen if you succeed? Will you lose yourself? Afraid you won't be able to sustain it? Taste success and then afraid to lose it? What?

There's gold to mine in these questions and you seem primed to do the work. Jump in on FB and let the universe support you. I'll be looking for you.

All the best,
Judith

[Suzanne Vachet]

What a timely and inspiring article. Thank you for reminding us, amidst all the gloom and doom of the current climate of crisis, that crisis always contains opportunity. You inspired my blog post today: http://musings.achievegrowth.org/2009/02/26/to-dream-the-impossible-dream/

(And besides, I had to leave a comment, because your 'big dream' is the same as mine! Pave the way, and inspire the rest of us to follow in your footsteps!)

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey there Suzanne,

Thanks so much for blogging about my article. I just visited your site and left a comment for you.

So we share the same "big dream"! Fabulous! I suppose every writer has that dream, but why not? Oprah has paved the way for so many people, I figure she's got a slot in there somewhere for the likes of us.

I'm happy to pave the way, or maybe you'll get there ahead of me and you can pave the way for me. It doesn't matter. I'm just going to keep writing and see where it takes me.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Blessings,
Judith

[Nicole Rae]

I had to let you know that that this article really inspired me. I blogged about it today... http://www.nicoleraestudio.com/blog/2009/02/25/pursuing-a-dream/
I can't find your group on FB tho. Can you post a link? Thanks!
Nikki

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Nicole,

Here's the facebook link:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=54125149172

I'm going to trot on over to your blog and check it out. Thanks so much for the link up and I'm glad you were inspired. That's what we're about.

All the best,
Judith

[Kari Henley - Huffpost Blogger]

Viola!
Fabulous article and thank you for bringing this documentary to those of us who did not have a chance to see the film. It is the essence of inspiration.

I love the impossible dreamers idea and will join right away! Many women do not realize that some of the highest paid females in the US are solo entrepreneurs! Those who have stayed home with their kids and then had a dream to make movies for their toddlers, and became Baby Einstein millionaires, or baked fabulous cookies and became Ms. Fields.

Love the book, we all know you have one in you, and the time span between declaring and manifesting is very short these days!
Love
Kari

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Kari,

Can I quote you on that last line? You're one of my "rocks", so I'm counting on you to be on my empowerment team and visa versa, of course.

I see you joined our FB group. We're up to 94 people in 5 days.

By the way, you're going to have the seat right next to me on Oprah, so get ready!

Much love to you,
Judith

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Judith,

Your article is just what we need. Watching the video, I wondered what would life be like if no one dared to dream? The fact is that we would miss the joy of our most natural inclination to grow, to explore, to connect, to discover. How often we have dreams, only to quit on ourselves when the tough times come. President Obama is right: today, if we quit on ourselves, we quit on our country, (and world).

This story reminds me that the process takes not only the vision, but the tenacity, and the support of community to remind us that who we are is always in the act of becoming. Phillippe gives us all such a wonderful reminder, too, of the imperative of patience, doesn't it?

You've given me so much to think about that I've decided to respond in my next article next Wednesday! But, as for now, we are on the same page. I've included a link to a complimentary slant on what you are saying. Enjoy!

Love and blessings,
Cara

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-cara-barker/what-if-help-were-closer_b_169487.html

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Cara,

And the beat goes on......

So this is how the creative process works, isn't it?. We dare to dream and put it out there. We dare to speak it and doors open, allies show up, sources of support and inspiration materialize. We're capable of so much more than we can even imagine.

Your support has always meant the world to me. You're the BEST!

Love,
Judith

[Sheri Zampelli]

Fabulous article! Thank you.

I'm a college instructor. My students are taking a second shot at life. Many of them work all day, have several small children at home and live in very stress-provoking neighborhoods. They have endured a life of many hardships but still have tenacity and take the time to attend college and change their lives.

This year, I decided that I wanted to use my position as a college instructor constructively.

My students have dreams like: open a homeless shelter, work with at-risk youth, and start a ministry for abused women. Some of them have family and friends who support them in these dreams. Some do not. I want to be the leader who can show them that I believe, even if no one else does.

After the Obama election I am more convinced than ever that now is the time to step up to the plate. I'm the oldest, I've been taking care of everyone and everything for a long time. Since I know how to do it, I might as well use it for something good. That's my big dream. I would love it if my students were successful in their dreams and they became something akin to the O Ambassadors and maybe Oprah would give them money and help them get their dreams started and then they and would come on the show for updates and everyone would live happily ever after. You did say impossible was only a word, right?

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Boy, you go, woman! This is a wonderful big dream and I'm here to say "It's POSSIBLE!"

Join us on Facebook and let the doors of support be opened. You've already taken the first step. You've declared it.

I'll be watching for you on Oprah. Who knows, maybe we'll even be on the same show! It would make sense, wouldn't it, since my book is about living the impossible?

Rock on, sister,
Judith

[richbrian]

Hello Dr. Rich,
Thanks so much for the great article! It should be mandatory right now instead of all the doom and gloom.
I am fairly new to FB. I cannot find the group or Dr. Rich on there. Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello richbrian,

The group on FB is called Impossible Dreamers. Just write it in the search box and you'll be taken to the page. Since you're already on FB, you can just click "join this group" and that's it.

Thanks!
Judith

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Ohhhh

and Deb and I met with HH the Dalai Lama

(& wrote 2 books for which Dalai Lama was a contributor)

Ed

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Dr. Judith, Guess what wonderful lady

I am living my dream, we have just handed in our book to the publishers and they love it--

-- We interviewed amazing & wonderful people.

I know your heart Judith, - and Cara, Anne, Eli, Russell, Verena, Alex, Jason, Katie, & Sadie -
all jewels I met l in cyberspace.
May all people be Happy and live their dream, Life is a gift!

Ed

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Ed,

Congratulations on YOUR book! When will it be published? And, since I've declared my dream, I might as well explore all avenues, do you think they'd be interested in publishing a book on my topic (the subject of this blog) or are they primarily Buddhist oriented?

You are a treasure too. Thanks for your big, warm, always smiling heart! Keep on living your dreams.

Love and blessings
Judith

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Judith, Thanks for asking about our book- it will be published October 2009 the title is:

BE THE CHANGE
How Meditation Can Transform You and The World

with Voices Of Remarkable Spiritual People--------such as
Marianne Williamson, Robert Thurman, Byron Katie, Michael Beckwith, Ellen Burstyn, Russell Bishop, Jane Fonda, Kathlyn & Gay Hendricks, Dean Ornish, Patch Adams, Ed Begley Jr.Susan Smalley, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Ram Dass, The Karmapa, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Joan Borysenko, Jack Kornfield, Dan Millman, Lindsay Wagner and others

Deb & I are primarily authors but I am a talent scout/agent so let's connect and do contact me and let's talk about your book.

Joyfully,

Ed

[blaharumph]

this is just what i need today. thank you.

[Glamorosa]

My dream was to be a TV presenter.Having had no experience I started reading a book called "A whack on the side of the head by Roger von Oech". I looked at TV presenting through a different angle.
I, the viewer of my favourite TV presenter would be doing the interview. I approached the TV company with my idea and they loved it. I appeared on day time TV in the United kingdom and interviewed my favourite presenter for seven minutes on her show.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Good for you, Glamorosa!

What are you up to now? What is your dream? You already know you can do what you set your mind to. What's next for you?

Best,
Judith

[Donna Baase]

There's a wonderful line from "I Dream of Daffodils" by ee Cummings that goes:
The aim of waking is to dream... I believe that, wake up, be alive, be true and then....dream

Great article and food for thought and action. Go Judith!!
Donna

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey Donna,

So nice to see you here! So mercurious this waking up from the dream and then dream stuff. But I agree, That's what its about. First, we wake up from the unconscious dream, and then we get to have conscious dreams and go for them. It's all about aligning with our higher purpose and bringing that forth in a mindful way. Most of the time, we're stumbling around in the dark.

What are you up to now? You've accomplished amazing things. Would you care to share with the readers here the big dream you materialized? You're an inspiration.

Much love,
Judith

[cocolola]

Thank you, thank you Judith. Boy did I need that! I just read a doom and gloom commentary from Jack Cafferty at CNN that made me feel like stepping in front of a speeding bus. With all of the negative energy floating around out there lot sof people have stopped dreaming -- including myself. Thanks again. You've jump started my imagination.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Good! Now get busy. What small step will you take today?

Come back and let us know.

All the best,
Judith

[SangZe]

It's too late to dream. I might not wake up. After one retires, mentors and other support disappear.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

SangZe,

Really? Is that true, like a fact? What would it take to create a mentor for your dream? Today! Who would you need to be to create someone standing for you and your dream? Today!

Jump on Facebook and join our Impossible Dreamers group, or come back here and let us hear your answers.

We're listening!

Blessings,
Judith