What's Your Dream

Dr. Blume's Article of the Month

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM?
by Dr. Ginger E. Blume

Imagine going on a trip and never deciding upon a destination. You could end up anywhere and probably nowhere close to where you’d really want to be. Life is like that. If you’d don’t make a choice about your goals, you could end up anywhere. It is risky to leave your life up to pure chance. Living without goals is like sitting in a sailboat and letting the wind take you where it may. You’ll risk drifting aimlessly through life, finding little satisfaction or sense of purpose.

Create a Personal Mission Statement

So how do you grab hold of the rudder and begin to direct your life’s course? First, there are some preparation steps you’ll need to take. There is a centerboard in a sailboat that helps steady the boat. This is analogous to having a clear sense of purpose. A purpose is similar to having a personal life mission. What is your life about? What are you here for? These are the same questions a startup business must ask itself in order to succeed?

A personal mission statement will guide everything else you do in your life. A personal mission statement is like a personal template for your life. A mission statement might be, “I am here to help single mothers succeed in life,” “I am committed to bringing hope to disadvantaged children,” “I will bring beauty to others by creating attractive, affordable clothing,” or “I will help save our endangered species.” A mission statement expresses your passion for life.

Choose a Goal/Destination

Once you have a mission statement in place (a center board in your boat), you’re ready for step two. Step two involves choosing a destination that will help you accomplish your mission. With a destination in sight, you can raise the sail, grasp the rudder, and begin or redirect your journey. As most sailors know, you can never sail directly toward your goal. Due to shifting winds, you will need to make constant adjustments, jigging and zagging toward your goal. Throughout the process, you’ll need to keep your eye on your ultimate destination along the shore.

Remember your Compass

if you lose sight of your goal, you’ll become lost. Then what? If you have a compass, it will help get your back on course. A personal compass in life is like an internal sense of values, priorities, and ethics. A personal compass will help you sort out all of the possible distractions along your journey. A compass will remind you to stay focused on your original goal and head toward it. If you’re sailing without a compass, stop and re-assess your own values. Clarify how you want to live. This might include clarifying your spiritual beliefs, your personal code of ethics, your self-expectations, etc. Then with a compass in hand, relocate your destination and begin again. Your life mission will help you remember what matters most.

Weathering a Storm

If you find yourself drifting, forgive yourself, and get back on course. When you’re confronted with a storm or a hurricane (the death of a loved one, loss of home, personal illness, etc.), lower your sails and ride it out. Don’t be unrealistic about what you can accomplish during such times. We all need time to recoup and regain our physical and emotional energy after personal crises. Sometimes, we need to drop anchor and be still.

Life is a rhythm between activity and rest. Through meditation, yoga, deep breathing, prayer, etc. you can tune into your own rhythm and learn to honor it.

When you’re ready, raise the sail, set your compass, put your hand on the rudder and continue on your journey. I assure you, your life will have more meaning and fulfillment if you take these tips from sailing.