We all have a divine calling, a purpose we were born to fulfill. Afraid to let nature take its course with our dreams, we roll up our sleeves and map out our future. Step by step we're determined to make it happen. There's a serious flaw in this type of thinking. Rather than moving us to our heart's song, it keeps us stuck.
How can that be? Because in believing you have to make your passion happen, you're limited to only what you're capable of imagining. A more certain way to reach your goal is by envisioning what your life would be like if your longings were already realized. Indulge yourself. Start acting as if you're already there by finding a place of trust within, a place where you know your dream is being brought to fruition. Live as if it's already happening, and the physical world just has to catch up. Opportunities to transport you will unfold without your "help." They will materialize as if by magic. And all you have to do is let go and dream.
Stay in the now. Work on an aspect of your heart's desire daily. For me today, it would be sharing my art by writing this blog. For my nephew's wife Jamie, it's about being the best mother she can be to baby Calvin. For Harriet Tubman, it was saying, "yes," to her calling to guide slaves to freedom in the north. She didn't worry about unforeseen dangers on her journey. She relied on moment-to-moment guidance from her maker. By believing in our dreams, without agonizing over how to bring them to pass, we leave room for the divine to work out the details. That's my interpretation of the idiom, "God is in the details."
In Linda Ronstadt's new memoir, Simple Dreams it's clear all she ever wanted to do was sing. How her gift was shared with the world wasn't something she was consumed with. By keeping her focus on the joy of singing, her heart's desire materialized, in a big way. Not many of us clammer for that kind recognition. But what we all do share is the desire to bring the rose we are born with to bloom. By loving that rose and leaving the particulars of its flowering to God, we leave the door open for him to out dream us. And out dream us he always does.
My nieces Collette and Andi were happy to pose as Degas ballerinas for me.
All text and images © Sue Shanahan. All rights reserved.Click here.