Chasing a Dream

"There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart.... pursue those."
                                                                                                                                 -  Author Unknown

Is there anything more captivating... more challenging... or more exhilarating? For some, chasing a dream seems folly. Others, pursue their ambitions with every iota of dedication they can muster. The former are people who simply live their life and the world moves past them. Those that chase their dreams and succeed are the ones the world never forgets. Is it about that fame or success? No. Can I desire to be something more than what I am? Absolutely.
About a year and a half ago, on a typical stay-at-home night, my husband dared to dream again. We had a great life (and we still do), but something in him was unsatisfied. In every passing moment, with each change of the tide, my husband's life plan would fall to pieces. Finally, he admitted to himself, and to me, that he could not live his life fully until he had exhausted every chance to obtain his boyhood dream of playing hockey. Funny how life has a way of smacking you right in the face! I was stunned. The concept and chance of him playing hockey professionally seemed minuscule. At first I was too afraid, afraid that his heart would inevitably be crushed, and afraid of how his choice would change my world. It has been a hard road, and there have been many bumps along the way, but now I am so glad he dared to dream. Looking back over the last year, I can see how his hope has infected me and, in turn, our life together. Even though his hockey career potential still remains to be seen, his growth as a man has astounded me. The byproduct of his dream is strength and discipline, the gain of the qualities in his character is something I would never trade. More importantly, his hope is contagious. Without his dream I would not have dared to discover mine...

There are many people in our lives that disapprove of the choices we are making. Reckless, stupid and irresponsible are words that have been used to describe the last year of my life. It's true, chasing your dreams brings the potential for failure. But whether you dare to dream or just move through life, you will fail. Failure is inevitable, but it is what you do with your failures that lasts. Will we pick ourselves up and continue onward? Maybe we will exhaust all options in pursuing these dreams but we won't be defeated - we will find another! This process has taught me that life is not worth living if you do not have something to cherish. The pursuit of becoming an editor or an author enthralls me. It is a dream so close to my heart, and so much a part of me that I cannot believe I ever wanted anything else. I feel alive again; like the world is mine and all I have to do is work hard enough to take it. Each day I feel excitement and the anticipation of where our dreams may take us. This dream makes my heart beat faster, it's one that wakes me in the middle of the night, one that changes the mundane reality into something vibrantly beautiful. The life I knew before has faded away, and the catalyst for this change is hope. Where there was once fear and skepticism, now stands hope and promise. All this change from one simple thing, a dream. When you find your dream, you'll know. It's that moment, where you feel something is on the horizon. You just have to reach out, believe, and grasp hold. Cling ferociously to the pulse of your soul and never let anyone quiet your desire. DREAM! And keep dreaming because, one person, who dares to dream, can change us all.