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Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Dream, Baby, Dream!

When my grand, Crysta, was graduating from high school, I gave her a bunch of unasked for advice. Amongst which was this — dream big. Let your mind run free.

Specifically, I was referring to what she might like to do for work.

Want to travel the world but how can you possibly afford to do that? Become an English as a Second Language instructor. I know of a couple of folk who did this. You could become an au pair, join the Peace Corp, work on a cruise ship.

Absolutely adore music? You wanna be part of the rock n’ roll scene but you don’t sing or play an instrument and, oh yeah, you’ve got wicked stage fright? Become a roadie. How? Read, read. 
Want to be a glittering aerialist with the circus? Go to Cirque School in Los Angeles or Aerial Arts in New York or the Trapeze Aerial Circus School in Brattleboro, Vermont or one of the programs/centers listed here.

Whether or not you end up as a star of the flying trapeze isn’t really, truly the main dish. Having an adventure is.

You’re in love with that little bookstore/cafe and would live there if you could? Get a job there, see if you’d like to manage or even own one of your own some day. No gigs available at your fav joint? Ask the owner, manager, whoever for an informational interview.

How about this — your biggest loves are your pets. Consider working with animals. Become a vet, an animal trainer/groomer, a zoologist, a park manager.

Explore, explore!

My niece Maya’s just graduating from high school and is taking a gap year. Best thing in the world to do. I wish I’d even known of the concept when I was that age.

Why does this all come up now? I find, lately, that I keep hamstringing my own fantasies. That is, specifically, finding reasons why I just couldn’t possibly trike the Isle of Skye, Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides or the far Northern Highlands of Scotland. This being my current obsession.

Why not? Why can’t I?

For starters, I’m still unconvinced that I can — or should — afford the evolve e², (that awesome folding trike that I could take with me on my travels).

 Secondly, that brill eco-cottage in Fiscavaig with the astounding views, situated in just the most perfect area for whiz bang triking day trips, is DEF outta my price range.

Thirdly, I just don’t know that I can get away for a full week or, better yet, two anytime soon.

Oh fer fuck’s sake — how’s ‘bout I just let myself go all daydreamy without strapping on the reality belts. K?

Here’s the useful thing about my fantasy hamstringing though — knowing my reservations or limits means that I can find answers and/or work arounds.

If I don’t have an e2 maybe I could:
a) rent a trike
b) hike instead
OR
c) I could drive around the Black Cuillin, sketching, spacing and taking pics of it's astounding beauty.
Don’t have the dosh for The Hen House? The nearby-ish Otter Lodge while not as posh, looks comfy, just as beautifully situated and is nearly half the price of the architecturally exquisite Hen House.

Can’t get away for long? Maybe not now but perhaps next year.

For now I can dream, baby, DREAM!

4 comments:

  1. As my daughter says in teenspeak, “I feel you baby.” I’m in the midst of thinking about a job transition. What I’m looking for at the moment is a gig at a foundation, so I can help give away money to nonprofits that do good work rather than ask for it, which is what I’ve been doing for the last 20-odd years. I’ve got two kids in college and one more in the pipeline, so I need some scratch, making this steady gig the practical and smart thing to do. BUT . . .

    What I really want to do, what has really been getting my daydreamy engines revved, is to open a tea shop. And funny thing: the more I dream about it and the more I talk to people about this fantasy, the more real it seems. I’ve even signed up for a three-course community ed class in how to write a business plan. Realistically (ack!), the tea shop is a ten-year plan, but it makes my heart race to think about it now. That in itself is worth the price of admission.

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    1. it's amazing the things we can find, the lessons learned and the good we do ourselves AND others when we open our brains to possibilities — when we let ourselves dream.

      I find it hard to do — much like meditation and relaxation — but it's SO damned important. Just like meditation and relaxation.

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  2. Thank you, Donna, I needed to hear that today.

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