The Dream Dare

Do you remember on Pretty Woman, at the beginning and end they show a shabby, presumably homeless man, cheerfully wandering the streets of Hollywood asking, "What's your dream? What's your dream? Everyone that comes to Hollywood has a dream?"

That's what I'm asking you. I have read on some various blogs about bucket lists, things that people want to accomplish before they die. There are some pretty quirky and interesting things on those lists. I also blog a lot with a group of amazing women about health and fitness, and we often talk about goals and willpower and inspiration, and all sorts of great things. There is talk about how we can achieve amazing things with the will to get up and work for what we want.

It got me thinking. Marinating over what my real dreams could be. They've changed over the years. To run a marathon? No. To skydive? Not anymore. Some people dream of climbing Everest. I will never be among them! I have dreamed of being on Broadway, to be a veterinarian, of living by the ocean or on a great expanse of land with a lake and a Golden Retriever named Marty.

Some dreams I've had have come true, and I'm so thankful. To marry a great guy (greatest EVER!), to have healthy children (they are healthy, beautiful, smart, good, funny, everything I could ever want), to have great friends. Done and done!! I've been blessed in life to have pursued a great career, I became a dental hygienist. I work two days a week and make good money, and still have time with my kids and to run a household. I love my job, I am happy doing it, it adds to my overall life's satisfaction. I love my family so much it hurts, I love my friends, my home, and my neighborhood. I am happy with life, truly happy. Laundry and a dirty kitchen disrupts my bliss, but that is another story.

But......maybe, just maybe, I could be lucky enough to have even more? Sounds kind of selfish, considering I've been given so much. I will be honest though and tell you that I do hope to achieve more with this life I've been given. I've found my dream. Let me correct myself, I have always had this dream but I tucked it neatly aside for a very long time. To write. More truthfully though, not just to write, but "be a writer." I've always loved reading, I toyed with the idea of majoring in English, but decided against it with no regrets.

It took me a lot of courage to admit the dream to myself, and even more to others. I want to write a book. I've started writing one. I've joined with a group of other writers. I've done some research and I realize that it's a long shot. It's a tough road to get published, even tougher to become well known, to have a bestseller. TOUGH I say. It will take a lot of work, time, and sacrifice. Can I do it? Am I good enough? Doubts can crush your will to succeed. I won't answer those questions because I don't like the answers I give myself. I'm just going to go for it. Now you know. It's terrifying to admit. I have a LOT to learn. I will learn it. I am finding immense satisfaction and joy in the whole process. In the end, that may have to be enough, which is the nice thing about dreams; sometimes, trying is the true triumph.

Now it's your turn. "What's your dream? What's your dream? Everybody that comes to Hollywood has a dream." Tell me if you dare.