Step 1: Acquire the Fire

In the book, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T. E. Lawrence said,

“All people dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did.”

When you were a child weren’t you excited about what you were going to be when you grew up. And you had a confidence about yourself. You were confident not only about what you wanted to do but you were equally confident in your ability to do it. Then something happened, the natural programming you had upon your arrival in the world, started being tweaked by a succession of people. The list includes mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, peers, bosses, religious institutions, etc. etc. etc. Just like a fire will be snuffed out by water; so will the fire in your heart be suffocated if you allow yourself to be immersed in someone else’s dream for you. My purpose here is not to go into an analysis of this phenomenon but simple to acknowledge that in the course of growing up and becoming a responsible adult we tend to forget how to dream, how to imagine, how to be creative.

You remember in the introduction of this series I said that I believe:

1. You are a unique creation and therefore, very special. There has never been one like you before and there will never be one like you ever again.
2. You have a unique purpose. Another person can do the same job that you do and it will be different, simple because they are not you.

If we are to acquire the fire we need to start with the heart. That means looking into your heart not other people’s opinions. There is a place for input from others and we have not gotten there quite yet. Let’s first answer some questions. Let me encourage you to take your time and dig deep.

• Are you fulfilled in you job/career?
• Do you love what you do?
• Is it taking you where you’d like to go?
• What excites you in your personal life?
• What is it that you have always wanted to do, to have, to be?

This is just the beginning of our interrogation of reality and if you dig deep you will experience an undiscovered realm that can bring wonderful rewards. This journey is not for the faint of heart and I need to warn you, beware the twins. They are doubt and fear. Remember, they are only as powerful as you allow them to be. The moment you dare to dream the twins will be aroused and will show up just like uninvited guest at a dinner party. When you choose to embark on your DreamQuest you are going against the grain you are therefore going to face resistance, some will come on unexpected fronts. I tell you so you won’t be terribly surprised. We will talk about this more as we progress.

Please, leave your comments or email me. Let me leave you with a quote from Woodrow Wilson that I hope will encourage you as you begin your DreamQuest. He said,

“We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.”

Til next time…
Charles