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When I was still little, I dreamt of becoming an independent woman, with a successful career, driving my own car, and living in my own house. As I grew up, my dreams became more specific. I wanted to make a computer-related career since I found out I’m good with it. I saw myself as having a happy, loving family with healthy, happy and confident kids.
I realize now that I’m already living my dreams! I got everything I wanted and more. Only now, I have outgrown those dreams and have another set of dreams!
When I started having kids, all dreams I had making it to the top of the corporate ladder, vanished. All I wanted eversince was to be free. Free to spend my time with my kids and husband. Free to spend my time with friends and family. Free to go after my passions outside of work. Free to enjoy and experience life.
It’s the simplest dream I ever had, yet the most complicated to attain.
You wouldn’t believe how much time, effort and money I’ve spent all these years trying to accomplish that dream… and yet, it still remains a dream.
Am I frustrated now after all these years of trying? No. Why? Because those years of resisting and struggling, and trying to break free from the successful life I put myself into were also those same years that enlightened me to the true meaning of happiness.
Happiness is not about achieving your dreams. It’s all about being in the moment, fully living the present. It’s all about enjoying the journey as you go along, fulfilling your dreams.
What I’ve so far learned from this journey is that I was able to accomplish my past dreams with having the least resistance and struggling on my part. I was just going with the flow of life… I put my mind to set out for my dreams once, and forgot about it. I went on my merry way, doing things one day at a time, and enjoying the process. Somehow, my dreams just came to be. That was the difference between those dreams and my present one. My present dream became a need for me. A need that has to happen ASAP.
As soon as I started realizing this and made changes to my mindset and attitude, things started to lighten up. In 2008, I was offered a hoteling arrangement with my current employer. Now I get to work from home 4 times a week! I only need to be physically at work when there are important meetings that I need to be there for. Isn’t that great?
Am I now living my dream? Yes! I may not be quite there yet, but who cares? My dream will happen at the right time it ought to happen. Right now, all I really care about is enjoying and experiencing life with my family and love ones at the moment life is happening. Truly grateful for what I have and what I have so far accomplished in life. That’s all that matters… and as the song says, “…Whatever will be, will be!”
How are you living your dreams right now?
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I agree! I love the freedom to be with my kids. And I may not have reached the level of success with my dreams that I am aiming for (yet), but I am living my dreams by working towards them. The process of getting there is part of the dream too.
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My grandpa used to say, “You’re as happy as you decide to be”. Just watched an awesome TED video on happiness. http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/97
Happiness is the journey.
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congrats on your journey to live your dreams.. and continuing to pursue them mindfully and joyously. the universe knows only perfect timing!
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You go girl!! It is so fulfilling to know that one is enjoying the journey through being in the moment, no resistance, no struggle! It doesn’t get much better than that! Hip Hip Hooray for you!
Holly´s last [type] ..I Completed My 30 Day Challenge
The Juice of Life is definitely in the Now, and if we focus too much on our goals – ie. the future – we tend to miss the deliciousness of the Present.
Thanks for the reminding me that, while I may have dreams and goals and visions of a glorious, financially free future, my Present is pretty darn good right now!
Jacqueline Gates´s last [type] ..Feathers and Diamonds and Challenges- oh my!
Beautiful post! You’re right on about living your dreams. We’re conditioned to view success as material possessions but life in and of itself is a miracle and everyday is a blessing. Sometimes you have to look at the simple things in your life to see how extraordinary life really is.
Janette
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Very well said, Janette. Thanks for stopping by!
Cherrie´s last [type] ..Living Your Dreams
Aloha Cherrie,
Oh, you sound just like the young me, except you got smarter and wiser way before me! I climbed the corporate ladder and lost 8 years of my son’s life because all I did was work at the office!! That’s when I dreamed of staying home just like you, however, I had already lost 8 years and I was not going to lose anymore! I worked my home business while my son was sleeping and in 2 months, made my FT pay and left the corporate world back in 1995!!
I have spent every minute of everyday with my son since Jan 1996 and it’s just the best!! You are so fortunate to have discovered this now! Congratulations on your success!! You can do whatever you want and have it all! Go For It!
Aloha,
Kellie
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Thanks, Kellie! I’m working from home but haven’t really broken away from my corporate ties yet, but I know I’ll get there someday. In the meantime, just enjoying with what I have and can do for now
Cherrie´s last [type] ..Living Your Dreams
Enjoying the process while striving for my dreams is one of my biggest goals. I always look for ways to add the “joy factor” in it all. There’s so much hardship and so many obstacles… if we can incorporate fun moments while working then we are already living our dream while striving for the goal. So many people miss the mark with this and are miserable while going for their goals. I lovd your post because it summarizes what I believe.
All the best,
Eren
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It’s funny how dreams change as you grow and reorganize priorities. I do think that being happy with what’s currently there while still pursuing your dreams is key. Don’t let the dream ruin the current happiness.
I’m living my dreams… in a way! I am a writer by trade and at heart so I get to do what I love everyday, but some circumstances and occurrences over the past three years have caused my dreams to take a detour and I’m trying to get back on track.
BTW: I love your blog. I saw that you’re following me on Twitter and now I’m following back. Great site, content and layout. I look forward to reading more. Have a great day.
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Wow,
This is lovely. I am glad to have found this blog. I feel the same way. When I look at my life I realize I am living out my dream. We can’t take anything for granted. All hardships/obstacles are placed there to teach us something about ourselves.
Life is great! I live in Brazil with my husband and our four children. Three years ago we took a step back from a fast-paced life in the United States and moved to the tropics. We haven’t looked back since.
It’s wonderful to be able to meet up with other people who are “living their dreams” as well! I’m glad you chose to share your experiences with us.
We are happy, healthy, and wealthy!
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Great post, Cherrie! I couldn’t agree with you more about happiness being about living your dreams and how just waiting for things to happen often backfires. I really liked what you said about living the dream if we haven’t fully arrived. It reminds me of a concept in Christianity called “is and not yet.” It is the point where you know how it ends, but there are still things to do until it gets here. I think this is what happens with our dreams as well.