Take 2 Steps, Add Wisdom, Whip up Some Wit with a Dash of Inspiration and You can get Closer to Your Dreams.

By elizabethcassidy • June 11th, 2009

Recently I posed a question about life to a group of clever women I know. I asked them to tell me 2 steps that they would take to get closer to their dreams. Some have big dreams; some were a little more pragmatic. What struck me most was that no one said a huge house, lots of money or power. It was about giving back, being creative souls again and having a sense of fulfillment in their lives.

All  their answers were brilliant and I thank them for their courage to be truthful (you all were, weren’t you?) and my hope is that all will  get so close to their dreams that they can feel it, taste it and know it to be true.

I also want to say that I am a very lucky woman to have these women in my life

Jennifer Ross, President & Marketing Strategist, http://activentrepreneur.com/

I actually started looking at what would make me happy a few years ago. It is not always so easy to identify what that is and I am still in the process of figuring that out. My career happiness centers around marketing, animals and health/fitness.From a health & fitness perspective I have taken a bunch of steps to explore those dreams including launching an entrepreneurial community that networks while being active, taking a 12 week personal training certification to explore the field and learn the basics, mentoring with an established personal trainer in return for some marketing help, and focusing a greater deal of effort and time on my own fitness by training for a mini triathlon.

Beth Costello, Artist and teacher www.bethcostellosimplyme.com

The one thing I have always wanted to do was to be an archaeologist, and travel the world digging up artifacts. Even before Indiana Jones arrived I was cutting pictures from National Geographic, and Archaeology magazines making scrapbooks. Two things I could do to bring me closer to this goal…hmm! 1) Research classes on line and go back to school. 2 )Find groups that allow you to pay to go on sites and dig for a length of time.

Furahi Achebe, Chemistry Consultant day job and President; Elite Media Productions LLC (every other moment)

I would work full time in media if the opportunity presented itself. I tried this in 2007 when I didn’t have the savings and I almost lost the house from under me and my kids. If I had funding for my video projects I’d quit my day job in a heartbeat.

I am already shooting my project at my own expense. As for the two steps I could take – 1) I need to seek funding and 2) get publicity.

Jane Beller – Educator

Become a travel guide in historic and exotic places

What 2 steps could you take to get closer to that goal/dream?

1) Learn Spanish

2) Get a connection with a tour company by traveling myself to exotic places. Maybe land a job with a travel company that has to set up trips. I already have people skills and the patience of a saint and am highly organized believe it or not.

Jane Cairns Irvine – Glassworks by JCI http://www.glassismyname.etsy.com

I would love to be able to make a large scale installation using recycled glass and other materials. something that would be shown in

the Museum of Art and design or MOMA or other contemporary art museum. Since completing my Waves of Change sculpture, I think the two steps that would bring me closer to this dream is to

1. Continue making more sculptures expanding on the idea in other ways 2. To send photos and information to curators of museums, press releases to art magazines and to newspapers.

Now that i have actually written this down, it seems attainable.

Kim Sisto Robinson: Educator, Writer, Freedom Fighter

I would travel to Kenya if given the opportunity. I would go to Kogony first and then Nairobi….see what I could do to empower girls….Meet Mercy Adhiambo (Mercy has been my connection to another world…another way of life. She has been my awakening to women’s oppression and how ignorance can kill…. Mercy is my friend, daughter, pen pal, and hero.
First step would be to do fund raising for money…(Which we do now for Mercy) and the second thing would be to get others aboard to make my vision happen….I believe when others have the same vision, our dreams come true faster!

Laurie Lawson CEC, PCC – Professional Life Coach – http://www.eljny.com/ and one half of the brilliant Coaches on the Edge blogging duo! And the only other queen in the group besides myself. http://www.skirt.com/user/8507/view

I feel fortunate that I (and fate) have maneuvered my life so that I pretty much get to do a lot of what I like already, but if I could pluck a blossom off the wishin’ tree, I think it would be that I would write that book that occasionally bubbles up inside me. Not very original I admit – who doesn’t want to write The Great American Novel? – but I enjoy writing. And even more importantly, I am positive that no one else has had the bizarre experiences I have had. My subject matter would probably be my stay in India where I lived on a guru’s ayurvedic farm with saints dressed in orange togas who were not allowed to speak directly to me while taking care of my husband. No, it’s not science fiction.

As with everything else in my life so far, the two steps that would get me there would be (1) decide to do it and (2) do it.

Sheryl Dluginski, Owner of Generations Fitness, LLC, a holistic fitness consulting business. http://www.generationsfitness.net

I would like to start and run an organization that makes holistic health services accessible and affordable to all.

Step 1: Re-organize operations in my current business in order to free up time and money which will then be re-directed toward this dream.

Step 2: Research pros and cons of possible types of organizations in order to make a decision on whether it will be a non-profit, a for-profit hybrid, a foundation or a co-op.

LAS – alas this mysterious woman is not wanted by any law enforcement agency

I think I would be infinitely happier if I could write — fiction or journalism or both — fulltime again. I also would like to be far from the madding crowd, but also closer to friends and family.

So my two steps to achieve those goals:

1) Stupidly in this job market, I might actually look for another job that puts writing first and foremost in the job description. However, I can always freelance, so I expect to — and it would be more practical for me — to look for opportunities in that marketplace.

2) Although it may seem foolish in this real estate market, we are also looking for another house closer to some family — and maybe a second home that our children can invest in/visit/inherit.

Meg Eilidh Greene, Writer

Meg is a freelancer in Connecticut. She visited Scotland for 5 weeks in 08-09 to research her epic historic fiction novel, THE RELIC-a tale of love and unlikely heroes set in Dark Ages Britain at the dawn of the Viking Age. In the process, she fell madly in love with the place and its people. She will return.

I’d like to hike St. Cuthbert’s Way (yes, there really was a St. Cuthbert) in the Scottish Border country from Melrose to Lindisfarne Island. It’s a marked trail with officially protected natural landscapes, however it does present opportunities to stop at the odd pub along the way. It’s also in or close to bird migratory patterns, so there is even more to see at certain times of the year.

I’ve already taken several steps:

I’ve spent some time in that area last year, so I know what the weather and terrain are like. I made friends who would put me up before and after the hike. I have a willing hiking companion in my daughter, Esme. I already own some outdoor gear that I could use.

Next I could get a job and start a little savings account earmarked for it.

After I do that hike, I could figure out the next hike I want to take.

S.J. Parrott

One thing I would try if the opportunity presented itself would be to be a cloistered nun. (Ok, you can stop laughing now.) Since the world has become decreasingly reverent toward God and increasingly immoral during the past 50 years of my life, I have come to realize that happiness is something not of this world. Happiness is all about heaven. It’s about serving God in the here and now. You see, I never thought I was “good enough” to be a nun when I was young, so I went to college, stumbled into love and into publishing, got married, had two children and voila, now I’m old and still seeking holiness.

To reach my goal presents a problem. My husband would have to perish and my daughter would need to be raised by someone else. My son is of legal age, but might think my late calling in life odd. Since neither step would be beneficial to me or to my family-it only would be beneficial to achieving the goal itself-I suddenly realize that I do not need to achieve the goal. I have heaven on earth and all the happiness I need and want. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Elizabeth.

CH would like to have been a nurse.
Two steps to get closer, my kids have to grow up and not need me as much. They are 7 and 2 and need a full time Mommy. So my dream of being a nurse has to be put on the back burner and I am OK with that. Nothing is more important than my family. Maybe I’ll go back to school for it some day and maybe I won’t. I have to see what the future holds but I am enjoying my life now.

Sign me, Bonnie T
Funny you should ask. Last week I started taking Reiki healing classes after being told by four separate psychics that I have an affinity for healing that needs to be developed. Being a very spiritual person, and having done “research” on many spiritual issues over the last 25 years, the thought that I could put something into practice that could benefit others was an exciting prospect. Although I’m a writer by trade, and this is clearly something that’s a bit different for me, I feel like I’m embarking on a whole new method of expression, one that could make a real difference to the people around me. So the steps I’ve taken are signing up for classes, and practicing to see exactly what my abilities are as a healer. I never imagined I’d be doing anything other than writing (and of course I’m still doing that), but somehow this has afforded me the opportunity to explore a new side of myself.

JC may have already gotten an answer!

I have long wanted to own a consignment/resale shop. I started shopping at such stores about 20 years ago and that concept always appealed to me. Unfortunately, I was always busy with family and work and probably didn’t have the courage to venture out on my own. If I had to do it again, I would actively seek someone with whom to partner and just take the plunge. Maybe it’s not too late.

P.S. – she emailed that something may be coming up, so let’s all keep a good thought for her.

Another one who wanted to be known as Queen, so I will bestow the title on her – Queen Patty responds:

Wow hard question…….the one of many things that would make me happier (I’m pretty happy now!) would be to travel with John….I would love to first take the time & second have the money to just take off & go where ever….John is a pilot & it would be fun to just jump into a plane, file a flight plan & go!!!!!
The two steps I could take to get closer to my goal: Win a Lottery & give up the idea that I am the only one that can do my job…..learn to give up a little of the control!

Baby D Art Director – this girl can paint with a brush or words!

I have read so many novels about “mature” women (I mean gals with some miles on them – well earned, of course – and definitely born before the Beatles came to America!) leaving their boring jobs, exasperating lovers and over-priced neighborhoods to start over in some sunny, quirky, romantic, adventure-filled European country. As embarrassed as I am to admit it, I’ve seen Mama Mia – the play and the movie – more times than any sophisticated New Yorker would care to admit.

And everytime I always think to myself…Aaahhhhhhh…I could definitely live life under the Tuscan sun, or below a Mediterranean moon or surrounded by Provencal stars. I’d gladly turn in my undervalued dollars for Euros in a heartbeat. Since we’re talking pie-in-the-sky, this is how a typical day in my dream life would pan out…After having spent the morning working on yet another oil painting of the fishing boats on the beautiful Italian coastline, I would wander into my favorite sun-drenched, happy cafe on top of the beach cliffs for a delicious espresso. While conversing in Italian (which I slowly, but surely become better and better at) with the cafe owner about my morning’s accomplishment, an admiring tourist on holiday would absolutely need to own a piece of my artwork to help them remember their wonderful trip. Now comes the tricky part. I would have to take care of a few details to complete Step 1 of the process to my new dream life. First, I would take my Salvador Dali finger puppet (my only personal possession at work) home from the job one night, and never return again. Next, I’d sell my property tax-loving (although beautiful) home, to a thirty-something The-World-Is-My-Oyster Manhattan transplanted couple. And lastly, I’d ask my Lover to leave old anxieties and worries behind, and to put love before everything else and come away with me. With these 3 missions accomplished, on to Step 2.

Step 2 is to live with my new freedom after dumping all that stuff from Step 1. The daily 9-5 never allowed me to be the creative person that I am. How can an artist be stuck in an office building, for 8 hours a day, in a room “decorated” with gray carpet? I will paint everyday in my new life. Possessions grow to possess us after a while, and we exist just to gather more “things”. My two favorite possessions are my cats, and they are always happy to see me. I will only keep things in my life that give me inner joy. At last but not least of all, my partner will not just be a mere part of daily living. We won’t judge each other’s differences and criticize them, but grow to appreciate them and value them. I will be in love everyday without condition. To be happy, I need creativity, joy and love. And having all that while living on the Amalfi coast would certainly be a bonus. Much love to all of the Brilliant Women who also shared their thoughts.

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Comments(2) Career Coach, Creative Solutions, Humor, Life Coaching for women, Midlife, Midlife Women, Transitions Coaching

Comments

By Sheryl on July 1st, 2009 at 4:45 am

I am honored to be in the company of so many inspiring, funny adventurous, dream-worthy women! Thanks, Elizabeth and all of you.

By midlifewomen on July 1st, 2009 at 9:00 pm

Thanks, Sheryl. I had a great time reaching out to some of the most courageous and inspiring women I know. How lucky am I!
Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us.
take care and keep moving forward.

 

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