wonder what their dream is

Our dreams and desires define us. Be they broken, scarcely remembered, on the verge of reality, or in full bloom. They pilot our choices. Dreams have the power to shape the entire landscape of our lives. Because they tend to be so precious and potent, many people keep their dreams and aspirations to themselves.

A dream is a very sacred thing to share.

If you knew someone's dream, you might look at that person very differently...with more tenderness, more respect, more familiarity, and more wonder than before. Dream-sharing melts boundaries and it calls forth resources and commonalities.

Look at everyone you meet this week and actively think to yourself, “I wonder what their dream is?” Ask at least one person this week what their dream is. You can do it subtly, and traditionally, like, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” or “What did you want to be when you were growing up?” Or you can just go for it, playfully and momentously and ask, “So, like, what’s your big dream?” So many people never get asked that. And fewer are really listened to. And for those who are stumped by the question, I guarantee they'll be thinking about it for days to come. Just the asking of that question sets essential things in motion.

The guy in the cubicle next to you may be working on novel about unicorns and espionage. Your sister might be fantasizing about her own cabaret break out performance. Your postal carrier may be patenting the next great invention. Make no assumptions about your partner, your workmate, or the bus driver.

Small, mighty, seemingly impossible, or simply pure ... when you know what someone’s dream is, your perspective leans toward openness. And every dream needs space to run.

Oh, my dream-stream... White Hot Truth The Fire Starter Sessions is a stunning success in every way possible, and I'm wearing suede boots and big gold hoops on stage and laughing "you-know-what-I'm sayin'-don'tchya?" laughs with thousands of people.

And I dream of Morocco and France and a koi pond in the back yard of my mod pre-fab house. Collecting art. Magazine coverage. I dream about communion with my man that blows both our minds. I dream of sitting 'round a fire with leaders and lovers of progress. Being able to give yeses and make phone calls that open doors and new dimensions for people.

I dream of children being taught mindfulness in school, and a movement of conscious birth choices and parenting, and technologies that heal. And I dream of invitations that humble me, and more magical connections with people who I recognize on a cellular level, and we band together to leverage change, and to support and care for each other in the way that reminds you how great it is to share space and time. And I dream of feeling more electric and sweet every single day.

But mostly, I dream of being amazed.

How 'bout you?

. . . . . . .

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  • I dream of waking up with no job to trot off to; only time to create all that rattles around my conscious. I dream of being out of debt, helping my sons get out of debt, and being present for my grandchildren in a way that I was not able to be for my children. I dream of breaking loose the slow route I have been traveling and owning my freedom in a way that delights and surprises me.

    I dream of taking life apart putting it together again, and finding my soul mates (all of them). I dream of being in love with each and every day. I dream that my fractured interest are in reality all facets of my DNA that will soon manifest into an astounding reality that is simply a reflection of the composition of my soul.
  • Megan DaGata
    I love your posts...the insight is refreshing in a web of insanity. As for dreams...I have many,. My biggest dream is a dream that I find a path to success that allows me to impact people in a loving, positive, creative way and pay the bills. :) The corporate motto for the company I have worked for during the last two years is "To create value for our shareholders." That is not something I can get behind when it involves damaging the planet. To that end I handed in my resignation Monday and I am leaving for greener pastures, not that I have figured out what those pastures are... The same day I called my mother and told her I was moving 2000 miles away to start fresh with new perspective and follow a dream of living in New England. My family is in shock, but I am excited and terrified and don't have all the details worked out, but I leave in a week.
  • Well Megan, as we say in Canada: "Fucking eh!" You're doing it. Bravo!
  • Karen Starr
    I found myself smiling ear to ear yesterday when I was in an antique shop talking with the owner and a moment came when I asked her, "so, what is your dream?"
    It made me think of you and I hugged you across all those miles. Thanks D :)
  • virtual hug rec'd!
  • Imagine if, upon meeting someone, you were expected to ask, "What's your dream?" instead of, "What do you do?" That's a fantabulous dream.
  • hi, i am amazed at the way you have presented about dreams, I dream of being a kind person, filled with a lot of gratitude for everyone in this world, and for all my experiences which has empowered me to look at life with gratitude, thanks for sharing, it is very motivating thought, thanks again, Angela
  • I am in complete alignment with YOUR dream. Couldn't have expressed it better. Thank you. Thank you for that. BIG love to you... Missy
  • You're right Danielle. Just asking someone what their dream is, is a powerful acknowledgment of interest to that person. Attention is a beautiful gift.

    My challenge to you all is to ask someone this week what their dream is. Even better if it's someone that you think might go unnoticed.
  • To be an inspiration to people by showing them that it's possible to step up and take control of your finances.

    To create a community of people centered around the idea of not only "Getting Out Of Debt", but also "Getting Into Life".
  • Danielle, your posts are always right on time, and like mental bullets. Aha - I understand the bow and arrow logo now. Yes, you pierce through to the heart of your readers. Well done.

    Don't feel like sharing right now as I'm working on my dreams and I have a deadline!
  • Following a "crazy" dream was one of the best things I ever did. I'd quit a nasty job, and was holed up in the sunshine doing needlework (what do *you* do when you're lost and depressed? I make pretty things.) I got quiet enough to hear a tiny voice saying "move to New York!" before quickly being squashed by the big practicality trolls in my mind. It squeaked enough times that I said "ok." I told my somewhat alarmed mother "Don't worry - I'm going to go to New York and meet a great guy." And... I did!

    I've been letting the practicality trolls have their way for too long. Time to get quiet and listen for dream-squeaks.
  • I love this question. I will ponder.
  • Beautiful, empowering and sent a little tingle down my spine. Thank you Danielle.

    I dream of lightness, I dream of traveling to remote countries where the culture is rich and the people make you humble. I dream of creating an never-ending story of purpose inspired by all that is good in this world and evoking a chain of changes that result is pure and soulful happiness.
  • Thank you again Danielle- I have one of those thiniges on my desk at work- on one side it has "?" and the other its says "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" That question dumbfounds a lot of people and at has dumbfounded me in the past! I know the first time I heard that question it really started the wheels turning! Now I am moving in the direction of my dreams! I dream of spending my days with people who are joy filled and not afraid to share there dreams, fears and hopes......oh wait a minute....I am already there! Your writing is such a gift that gives clarity to (what can be) muddy water.
  • Thank you for posting this, Danielle. It reminds me - and all of us - to be a little bit more gentle with each other. This is a theme for me, something I strive for and don't always achieve. My favorite summary of this is:

    "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Philo

    I don't quite know what my dream is yet. I know it has to do with truth and a life of passion. I also know I'm pretty far from it right now. Thank you for pushing me to have the courage to move closer to it every day. Thank you.
  • Astrid
    This is truly one of my favourite quotes Lindsey... Thank you for the wonderful reminder. Also... :-) Plato is the author.
  • Ack! Wrong author! What an idjit. Thanks for letting me know.
  • I agree, great way to start a new week. Very inspiring post. Your own dreams made me think, "YES!, YES!"

    I dream about conscious birth work, mindful parenting, writing books and sitting in circles with wise women (and men). I dream about healing waters, aquaculture, healthy food and eco-systems. I dream about world consciousness and compassion and a peaceful transition into a new world. I dream about hand-built stone homes, lit pathways and gatherings with people who share their visionary dreams. I dream about healthcare that respects the spiritual aspect of healing and includes the whole person, with respect and reverence. I dream about a spiritual revolution that is free of dogma and includes everyone.
  • Such a good post, Danielle. Everyone's dream is sacred. That's why I get upset when people are vitriolic about coaches in general without ever having experienced the power of been coached. If only people knew how rarely anyone asks or wonders what someone's dream is and then listens, really listens to the answer. There's nothing quite like the feeling of being entrusted with someone's dream while they work towards making it a reality.

    I learned a while back to choose which of my own dreams to share and which to nurture silently so that they keep their potent power. I've seen so many people get disheartened with having to defend or justify theirs, or bizarrely, with having to fend off the good intentions of the folk who rush in and demand to know what they intend to do right this very minute to start making them come true. Most of our dreams require us to reach out and get some kind of support or collaboration from others. Some dreams get kickstarted the minute we declare them to the world. But some are best shared silently with the universe. The trick is knowing where it's safe to share.

    I dream of a world where everyone thinks we should be focusing on finding ways to eradicate hunger and disease, sexual slavery and abuse, civil war and intolerance before we settle down obesely to switch on the TV and watch soap operas.

    I dream of a world where inspiration is revered, where we're loved for how many folk we touch and inspire and not judged by how little money we earn.
  • FYI - I'm a big fan of coaches. Big. Mostly for the reason you say is the honour of coaching: entrusting someone's dream while they work towards making it a reality.
  • "hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say!"
  • Here, here.
  • Gwyn
    Wonderful post Danielle, and a great way to start the week. I have been practicing voicing my dreams lately, and they are not unlike yours. I dream of a world guided by conscious choice, where dreams guide our actions rather than structures defined by profit, power, and dehumanization. I dream of an abundance of fresh natural food, and clean water available to all. I dream of being free from fear of loss, and so on. Recognizing and letting myself share these dreams is so healing, and I find myself drawn to like minded individuals. That is awesome, but what I am struck by today is the idea of all the unspoken dreams out there. The mail man, the cashier at the grocer, my spouse? I love the idea of prodding these dreams into life. Whether or not these dreams are in alignment with mine there can be much to learn from hearing them.
    "Small, mighty, seemingly impossible, or simply pure – when you know what someone’s dream is, your perspective leans toward openness. And every dream needs space to run."
    Oh yes!
  • Lately my dreams, my goals, my focus have gone from a well-defined bright light in front of me to an amorphous puddle at my feet. Not sure when or how, but it's a very strange thing. Hard not to feel totally lost. For the life of me, I haven't been able to gather the remaining bits into anything much.

    A friend commented on the importance of living in the now, of being here now. I lamented - how can I run and grow a successful business without goals, dreams, focus? How can I dream of what's in front and be present in the process?

    Kept me up all night. I woke the next day and just about talked my husband's ear off with the whole conundrum. I was ready to develop a questionnaire, take a poll, write a book ... how to stay in the now and still look to the future?

    That was about a week ago; my mind is still more blank than inspired, but I hit on a plan for now. I'm approaching my daily life and my business as a walking meditation. One step at a time, being mindful of each step, moving forward, not trying to 'figure everything out' for now. I guess my dreams are 'offline for an upgrade' and I'll just keep moving one step at a time until they're back on-line.

    Danielle - your dreams are helping me remember my own. It feels like the light might be sputtering back into an 'on' position. In the meantime, I'm taking many deep breaths and trying not to panic. Maybe that book's a good idea.
  • I think the answer is both. Yah yah, be here now. Be grateful, be present, pay attention, no need to worry. AND...dreams and goals and plans pull you toward your essence, I think. Dreams are emotional. And emotions create reality. (ooo, that's a good one - have to go tweet that.) See what happens when we jam 'bout dreams? Only good stuff.
  • "emotions create reality"
    Yep, that's a good'ern.
    Maybe the fog is starting to lift.
    Thanks for the inspirations + a dose of clarity.
  • Perhaps it is in the intersecting of dreams that magic happens ( or meaning or divine purpose) . Here's to a world in which we speak our dreams, share them and align with each other through them. I really resonate wtih this piece of your dream: "...more magical connections with people who I recognize on a cellular level, and we band together to leverage change, and to support and care for each other in the way that reminds you how great it is to share space and time"
  • Caren
    I'm that teacher that gets to teach mindfulness to kids along with making those hard choices. I am in the game of "magically delicious" fun and absolute happiness.
  • Dreamers unite! (double entendre in there that I love.)
  • This is really beautiful. I love the idea of sharing dreams and asking others to share their own as a way to get to know each other. Dreams are powerful magic. They are often a reflection of our deepest desires, our most private ambitions, and our unedited fantasies. The power to dream shows us where we want to go, and what we want our lives to be.

    Your dreams are beautiful, Danielle.

    My dreams lately have been all about travel, about motion. For several months, I have dreamed about blazing a trail for others to follow, and then coming back to lead others along the trail, guiding them around the dangers. The dreams always come in pairs of two. In the first dream, I am finding my way through dangerous and unfamiliar territory. In the second dream, I am leading people along the same path from the first dream, pointing out dangers, obstacles, and shortcuts.

    Which real world paths do the dreams reflect? I'm not sure. My spiritual path, perhaps, or maybe my career path. I don't know for sure, but the dreams have gotten my attention, and now I'm remaining open to the Universe to show me the real-world application.
  • Christine
    I was really moved by your post. Still am actually. It left me with just one word. wow. I didn't want to comment, I felt really shy but I know I should because now it's in my veins and it's not gonna leave me.

    My dream starts and ends with sky. Lots of sky. Untroubled by skyscrapers and people and traffic. Cloudy, thunderous, angry, calm. And under that acres of pasture or water. Water that is clear and salty that really gets down your throat. Lots of water. So when you get home and lie on your bed you still feel the waves across your legs.

    Waking up everyday doing the things I love. Days of seamless yoga and pilates and walking for miles and making little bitty crafty things just for fun. And cooking real food from scratch. So fresh you've just wiped the dirt, your dirt off the mushrooms to be thrown in the pan. Food that crunches and melts and becomes creamy in your mouth. My dream is of eating and living and inspiring and being touched and warmed and loved and of course, watching the sun set.
  • Jen
    Mostly I dream of gentleness. Learning to be gentle with each other as individuals, and with our world. Learning to take that individual gentleness into the wordplace so that our corporations become gentle in their goals and choices. As our corporations go, so go our nations - learning to treating each other with gentle respect.

    That's my dream. It starts with me, my family and my neighbors, and ends up consuming - gently - the world!
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