If You Fulfilled Your Dreams

{photo at Amazing Branson Cabins}

I’m going to be a bit vulnerable and honest here. I tend to be a “grass is greener” kind of person. Don’t take me wrong- I am infinitely blessed and I know it. The Lord has been more faithful than I deserve and I am beyond thankful. But for some reason, I’ll see someone else’s adventures and become slightly envious and begin to wonder ‘what if.’

I recently read a book where the author asked a group of high school boys to write down 100 dreams. They were encouraged to think beyond what was ‘realistic’ and just write down any wild and crazy dream imaginable.  Where would they live, do they want to get married, where would they travel to, what do they want to learn, who do they want to meet, what careers would they like to pursue, what contributions would they like to make, what do they want to own, etc. The sky was the limit.  After a few minutes, the boys completed their lists and eagerly shared their dreams with one another. Being the high school boys they were, their dreams were materialistic and worldly.  After the boys were finished sharing their lists, the author asked, 

‘If you fulfilled your dreams, would you be happy?’

When I picture my dream life- 5, 20, 50 years from now, what will bring me the truest joy? What will make me happy? Jim Akers wrote, “defining success as happiness based on things that can be lost or taken away is a trap.” And you know what? He is right.  The material things I collect will not bring me the truest joy. It’s the people who surround me, the love we share, the time we give, the moments of serving. Those are the things that will make me happy. I don’t need to look at other peoples’ success and adventures and add them to my ‘dreams’ list. Sure, they might be fantastic and they might bring that person true joy- but that does not mean that it will bring me true joy.  Doing things that matter and make an impact in the lives of others- that is what makes me happy.

I want my dreams to not only align with my values and beliefs, but to further them.  In 2016, I want to remember that the grass is greener where I water it. I want to focus on the achieving my goals- not someone else’s.

If you want some inspiration or just a good book, Tape Breakers by Jim Akers becomes available Tuesday, March 1! Go buy it here!