Category: Curious

You can’t be what you can’t see

Earlier this month my little family made a “Fall Dream Board.” We rolled out a piece of paper on the kitchen island, set out a stack of old magazines, and clipped and taped our ideas as the mood moved us. Here’s what we came up with:

An image of a fall-themed mood board made of cut up magazines
Our Fall Dream Board

It was incredible to hear what activities were interesting to each of us, and why. My husband want to find tacos al pastor here in St Louis. My daughter wants to build a castle out of items in the recycling bin. I want to stare at fall leaves (preferably in a midi skirt). We want to spend time in Illinois, and pet goats (?!!)

Here’s the thing… besides ‘just’ being a fun family activity…

I’ve since found myself feeling more optimistic and inspired than I have felt in a long time.

What’s important is that I don’t feel pressure to actually do everything on the list; it’s a Dream Board, not a “To Do List”, after all. But still, keeping the ideas posted on the wall helps serve as a daily reminder of our hopes and hold us accountable.

I’m not sure where the quote came from, but “you can’t be what you can’t see.”

Allowing ourselves the space and time to dream a bit – and to really visualize those dreams – sets us up to make the choices and take the actions to make those dreams a reality. For me, I’m looking forward to a special fall season.

IDEAS TO ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES:

  • Make a themed dream board – either alone or with family or friends. It could be a seasonal board, it could be focused on a goal you’ve set, it could be around travel, hobbies, career goals, whatever.
  • Notice what themes emerge: indoor vs outdoor, activities vs things, alone vs group, etc. What colors, materials, smells does it evoke? Reflect on what this means for how and where you choose to spend your time.
  • Now, look at your calendar. How might you preemptively align your calendar with your Dream Board? What activities do you need to say “no” to? What do you need to make space for?

How do you dream?

Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.

Gloria Steinem
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

How do you dream? Is it with a notebook and pen, tucked into a backpack, out on a trail? Or on the back of a napkin at the bar? With your earbuds in at Starbucks? Or on an elliptical? Is it in a long , long distance phone call (aside…are long distance phone calls still a thing?)? Or with your eyes closed as you drift off to sleep?

The point is… it doesn’t matter how, but rather if, you dream.

That is, if you regularly give yourself space to get lost in the “excitement of possibilities.” Because it is here – in the “leaps of imagination” – that new ideas are born, connections are made, plans are hatched. Never, ever, underestimate the importance of dreaming.

Action:

  • Reflect on your preferred method of dreaming: where have you had some of your best ideas in the past? Where do you feel your most relaxed, clear-headed, inspired?
  • Consider how often you’re carving out time to dream? Do you feel you’re giving dreaming enough time & energy? If not, what is getting in your way?
  • Consider how you can create and automate more opportunities to dream. How might you hold yourself accountable? Who might you enlist to help?

What’s my ‘why?’

Photo by Ken Treloar on Unsplash

I’m intrigued by the idea of unlocking potential. Of being intentional in building a life I love. Of showing up, leaning in, and giving it my all.

And… of not being shy in sharing the journey, or asking for help.

That’s why I’m starting this blog.

I hope this will be a place where I can reflect on and expand on these ideas and inspirations, while also inspiring others to pursue their own intentional path.

I’ve created a framework to organize the “wisdom of the crowd” and make it easily accessible. These words have become my mantra over the past years, a sort of north star:

Curious. Choosy. Gentle. Bold.

  • Curious: Great insight begins with great questions.
  • Choosy: Purpose & intention sets direction and allows impact.
  • Gentle: Empathy, gratitude, and kindness fuel great deeds.
  • Bold: Confidence and courage to pursue & stay your course.

Don’t get me wrong – I don’t have it all figured out. Not by a long shot. But that’s the magic of it; a chance to be on this strange and wild journey, together. I look forward to seeing where it will lead. Let’s go!