I remember when I lost my first baby tooth. It was a big deal for my mom. She carefully wrapped it up and placed it under my pillow. “Now as you fall asleep Jen, tell the fairy godmother what you wish for and it will happen.” As a little girl, I believed this was true.
Then I got older. I knew better. There is no fairy godmother, no magical being who will grant my wishes.
But growing up has advantages. I learned something that has proven invaluable.
To turn an impossible dream into a reality we need to stop wishing for it to happen. We need to start willing it into happening.
What is that dream that you have held close to your heart and not told anyone? It seems impossible, it seems so far off and yet it calls to you. For example, have you always hoped to go on a safari, to exhibit your artwork in a gallery, to learn to sing, to be self-employed?
I Had a Dream
Those dreams can become a reality. Here’s my story.
Many years ago, I had a dream to publish a book. I wrote it and then rewrote it. I moved houses and carted all the boxes of writing with me, but I never shared it with anyone. I kept my dream to myself. The reality of being an author seemed unattainable.
I was wishing, not willing.
A few months ago, I ran into the editor who was helping me with my book all those years ago. It was a huge reality check; eleven years had passed. I had not turned my dream into a reality. Meeting my former editor reminded me how this dream was still alive for me.
This reality check has caused me to make the decision to stop wishing and start willing it to happen.
My wish to become an author is now becoming a reality. The publication date for my book is Summer 2019. This time it doesn’t feel impossible, it feels doable.
From Wishing to Willing
There are two steps to stop wishing and start willing.
Step One: Make it Concrete
Years ago my wish to become an author was not backed up with a plan. I had not educated myself on the publishing process. This time I have a detailed plan of action and I know what I need to do to make the publication date. My brain is happy because it knows what needs to happen. Making a concrete plan of action has made a world of difference.
Have you written down your ‘impossible dream’?
Have you searched out stories of other people who have accomplished that very same thing?
What are the steps that you could take to make it a reality?
Get it on paper. Record it somewhere that you have to look at it daily.
Step Two: See it as Complete
All those years ago when I wished to be an author, I never actually imagined it coming true.
This time is different. I am taking a tip from pro athletes – they mentally rehearse their winning moves before they get on the field. Professional athletes rely on the power of visualization because it works. Our subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real and an imaginary event. Imagining our desire allows our brain to accept the dream as real before it actually happens.
Try This
- Imagine you are viewing a big screen TV and you are the star of the show.
- Watch yourself celebrate as if your dream had come true.
- Now as you watch the screen, adjust the sharpness of the image, make the colors more intense.
- Now pretend you could step into the TV, into the picture.
- Having stepped into the image, feel it happening as if that future is happening now.
- What is going on in your body?
- What are you saying to yourself?
This visualization practice gets easier over time. And it changes you. Ultimately this may be what the Universe intended all along. We become a better version of ourselves along the way of making our dreams a reality.
We Have Magic Inside Us
In summary, I celebrate you for being someone who is willing to take on your ‘impossible dream.’ I encourage you to make it concrete and see it as complete. We can move past wishing and will our dream into happening. We don’t need a magical being to help us. We have magic inside us.
Dr. Jen is a spiritual coach and a trained psychotherapist. Find her online at drjen.net or follow her on Twitter @drjenradio
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