There comes a time in every person’s life when you look at
yourself and wonder what became of all your dreams and plans
for the future. What happened to that future? Is it too late
now? Can I create a meaningful lifestyle? I read in the
paper about this man in a small town who had been working in
the same office since he was young and now at 55 he
discovered he never really wanted to work there. And so he
opened his own little bakery, which had been his childhood
dream, and started a completely new and more satisfying
life.
If this ordinary man could do this, you can too. You have
the power to make changes. What do you want to do with your
life? The possibilities are waiting round the corner. It’s
never too late to take the first step towards a different
and better future.
Don’t let anyone ruin your dream! Yes, it is scary. Taking a jump into the unknown takes a
little courage. You know what you have but not what you get.
You have to be brave. People around you are going to ask
questions about the changes in your life when they start
noticing those changes. Are you prepared to face their
curiosity? Some of those people will be doubtful and maybe
even advise you not to do what you have decided to do. They
will tell you it’s a bad idea and suggest you are acting
unwisely. But they don’t know the whole story behind your
decision. You are the only one who can tell what is right
for you. If you have decided to make a change, then stick to
your plans and be careful as to whom you talk to about them.
Keep it a secret for most people at the beginning. You will
notice that some people’s reactions will steal your energy,
and that is not what you need at this stage. What you need
is encouragement. Don’t let anyone ruin your dream. Tell
your plans only to a few people who are able to encourage
you. Maybe they are your old friends; maybe they are new
contacts and associates. Your closest friends are often more
likely to feel a little threatened by your new ideas and
would prefer it if you didn’t change. But they will get used
to it eventually.
"To dare is to lose your foothold for a moment; not to dare
is to lose yourself." This is not, as many believe, a
Kierkegaard quotation. But still as true.
What were your old dreams? Maybe you have forgotten all
about them. If they still are important to you in any way,
you owe yourself the possibility of bringing them into the
light again. It’s possible to fulfil some of your dreams.
Why not take your first step today?
I have promised myself never to stop planning for my dreams
to come true. And planning is more than dreaming. It’s the
first step to actually seeing it happen.
About the Author
Ingela Berger started her own Internet business
Lifestyle Plans
in 2003 to inspire others to make
reality of their dreams of a healthy and fulfilling
lifestyle. Ingela has studied theatre directing, history of art,
and leadership psychology. After some years working with art exhibitions and the theatre she is now back at school
to become a health and lifestyle consultant.