“If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Do you remember what life was like when you were a kid? When each moment presented the opportunity to learn something new? When you approached challenges with curiosity? When you believed that you could do anything? When you were completely fearless?
How do we lose that unfaltering confidence? How do we slowly stop believing that we can do anything, and start doubting our abilities? How do we go from believing that everything is possible to feeling walled in by limits?
I think it has something to do with the script we’re delivered in school. The one that we’ve seen our parents or friends or mentors enact. The script we have drilled into us by the media, telling us what kind of life is possible and what kind of life is worthy.
We’re taught to work hard in school and get good grades so that we can go to a good college. We’re taught that when we graduate, we get good jobs. We’re taught to work hard at that good job and we will get raises and promotions. We’re taught to meet someone nice, get married and have 2.5 kids. We’re taught to put all of our money into a mortgage and save up for retirement one day. We’re taught that if we do all of this good enough, we will achieve happiness and success.
That story may have worked for my Grandparents. But it doesn’t work for everyone.
We may work hard in school, but not get good grades because the system doesn’t make sense to us. We may work hard at our good job and be laid off or fired because of cutbacks or office politics. We may meet someone nice and fall in love but still find ourselves heartbroken one day. We may realize we’d rather be alone. We may try to have children and not manage to get pregnant. We may try to save money but find ourselves instead in credit card debt from endless consumerism. We may decide that paying a mortgage and looking forward to retirement makes us feel trapped and hopeless. We may decide that this so called “American Dream” does not make us feel successful or happy at all.
The good news is, there is another way.
If you have ever felt like there must be something better out there than the “American Dream” you’re absolutely right. It’s a little something called YOUR DREAM. The dream that didn’t come from a movie or a teacher or your mom or your Dad. The dream that came from within your heart.
Quite frankly, that dream is the only one worth pursuing.
That dream is the only one that will ever bring you fulfillment. Not the most expensive car or the most amazing outfit or the most beautiful home. Not the perfect body or the perfect partner or the perfect job. The only life that will ever make you happy, is the one that you know in your heart belongs to you. Which is unique to every single one of us. We each signed up to walk our own path in this lifetime.
When we free ourselves from the expectation of who we think we’re supposed to be and how we think we’re supposed to live, we free ourselves to create the life that we’ve always dreamed of. We free ourselves to soar into the limitless potential of who we are. What could be more beautiful than that?
So why do so many of us hold ourselves back? Why do so many of us resign to a life that doesn’t make our heart flutter? Is it because at the core we’re so afraid of the unknown that we’d rather settle for something comfortable, even if it isn’t that great? Is it because we’re so afraid that we don’t actually deserve the greatness that already dwells within us, just asking to be unleashed?
What if you decided right now, in this very moment, that you were absolutely worthy, deserving, and capable of achieving the most magical dream you could ever imagine? What would it take for you to really believe that?
Let’s all take a deep breath together. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale deeply through your nose. On the next inhale feel your entire body fill up with golden light. Feel it illuminate every cell in your body. As you exhale, feel that golden light expand all around you into a beautiful bubble emanating from your body. Then on the next inhale feel yourself fly as high as you can imagine, and when you exhale plant yourself into a parallel reality. One of absolute joy and bliss where everything sparkles and comes to life. One where you are living out your wildest dreams. Give yourself some time to play in this reality. Notice the shift in your body and your mind when you’re there.
If your imagination can see you living in this reality, one day can you?
When in this parallel reality, we’re reminded that we are capable of achieving greatness on a level that would literally blow our minds. We are capable of more than we could ever dream of. That possibility always lives within us, but we must awaken it. To tap into that potential, we have to deprogram the limiting beliefs that we’ve adopted over the years and get back to being that fearless child. It’s not always easy, but just like learning to crawl, speak, walk, and sing, it all starts with a try.
Challenge yourself to look beyond the system, and the messages you’ve been told, and imagine a life of possibility. Forget what everyone else is doing, forget what has already been done. Ask yourself what a life of bliss looks like to you, and how you are best suited to make the world a better place. Consider a dream that feels scary yet exciting to you. Then step outside of your comfort zone and find the courage to try.
This is important work.
Cause frankly, you’re not just doing it for you. You’re doing it for all of us.
When you follow your dreams, you make it easier for others to follow theirs. When you follow your dreams you set a new paradigm for future generations. When you follow your dreams you inspire the rest of the population who want so desperately to find greater meaning in life and don’t know how.
If I hadn’t met so many people of all ages traveling the world indefinitely, if I hadn’t met so many bloggers sharing their voice and supporting their lifestyle at the same time, and if I hadn’t met so many people dedicated to discovering a life that brings them the utmost bliss, maybe I wouldn’t have the courage to do the same for myself. Maybe I would still be sitting in an office somewhere wondering when life was going to get good.
Now I get to be the one who inspires. I get to show people another way. The more I open to the possibilities within me, the more I trust in myself, the more I believe in my dreams, the more beautiful my life becomes, the more beautiful the entire world becomes for all of us.
And the same goes for you. We need you to follow your dreams to help us follow ours. Our world needs you to share your unique expression so it can shine in its fullest potential. Our world needs you to follow your dreams.
Can you love yourself enough to do that for all of us?
Right on Camille!! I’m going to share this with my 16 year old daughter too… It’s a wonderful call to action!
Wonderful glad you liked it!
The American Dream is a BIG lie, to ensure that there’s always a fresh supply of “obedient” workers for the machine.
Yep, that’s why we focus our energy on the positivity of our biggest dreams 🙂
You inspired me when we met in Costa Rica years ago and it was great seeing you again in Marrakesh. I do think when we follow our dreams we free others to follow theirs. I have battled feeling guilty/selfish the last few months because I moved abroad and have had so many wonderful experiences. It has cost me in ways I didn’t expect but I know it was the right move. I’m excited about what’s next and will share this post with my daughter, too. Thanks.
Aw I’m so glad to hear that Cindy, remember that you are paving the way for others, you are the sacred ancestor for generations to come. We all are <3
You are so right! I always dreamt about travelling and see the world. But, instead, I am stuck in a poor marriage and a stressful job. The positive side is that I am mother of to two big and really nice boys. Who needs me a bit more. But, I know I have to do something about my life. Really, but I am afraid. Why? To hurt people. To live alone. And less money. My head is full! Thanks for being an inspiration!
You’re welcome Marianne. What could I tell you that would make you feel like it’s more possible? <3
Yes! I love it! My problem is that I have SO many dreams, I don’t know where to start! I recently left for a life of travel and travel blogging, so I’m starting to live my dream. But a lot of the time I still feel like I’m living someone else’s dream. The one I read about on another travel blog or article somewhere and thought “Yes, that’s what I want!” But my path isn’t going to look identical to that path, and I need to figure out MY way forward. It’s a constantly changing landscape. Your words always encourage me and help me think a little clearer 🙂
Oh I hear you on that! It’s something that can take my energy and keep me from getting stuff done, being scattered among all of the things I want to do. Meditation is really helpful for that. Clears away the chatter, brings you back to what’s most important, and allows you to be more fully present in the moment where the true dream lies <3 Also just deciding to focus on ONE thing for now, and realizing that's good enough. You don't have to do it all today, but you can do it all one day.
This post brought me back to my blog from July 2014. https://baronessbogie.wordpress.com/
I FULLY understand what you are sharing and can only hope that as time passes other will also stop striving for the “American Dream” and strive for their WILDEST Dreams.
Much love
– Baroness
Keep inspiring them sister 😉 xo
Another fantastic post!! This one really confirms what my dad has told me and what I’ve been trying to convince myself to do for the past 2 years. It’s time and I’m ready to venture out of my comfort zone , I do deserve it and am worth it. I am ready to live for me and make the difference i know that will bless others as well. As always your the best 😃
Blessings to you always
Awww thank you this makes me so happy to hear!! You’re right, you deserve it and you are worth it!! Absolutely worth it.
You could also drag the guy along if he is game — maybe he is just as bored with conventional surroundings. The title seems a bit harsh if the guy also has dreams… Thanks, S
Ah I think you misunderstood Solomon, I meant “The Man” as in “Society” or “Convention”.
You inspire me!!
I cannot wait to follow my dreams to Costa Rica and yoga teacher training next spring 😀
Amazing I’m so excited for you 🙂
Hi Camille, I just thought I tell you a couple of weeks ago I handed in my notice at work for travel – I plan to get a one way ticket to Peru and take it from there 🙂 I’m so excited to go to South America for the first time.. at the same time slightly terrified as it’s a whole new continent for me and the fact that it’s been almost a year since I came home from my last (and first!) solo backpacking trip!! I read your posts for reassurance though! x
Ahhh that is so amazing!! You can totally do it!! My next book is The Single Girl’s Guide to Traveling the World, anything you want me to be sure to include in there to help you feel more confident and prepared?
I just need to work on self-love the most I think.. maybe ways of coping with loneliness and anxiety? xxx
Yes, I hear you! We all need those reminders. Working on a post about self love now 🙂 xoxo
Hi Camille,
I still have on the fridge a fortune I opened with you after eating Thai together in Seattle a few years ago. It says,”listen to the dream that keeps coming back. It is your destiny.” I totally believe this. Your courage, open heart and exuberance continue to inspire me . I am trying to pay attention to that inner voice and distinguish the deep dreams from ideas. Thank you for supporting so many people in finding and following their passion.
With pride and love,
Mom
Hey Mom, love you so much. Meditation really helps with that. How? Creativity is pure feminine energy in all of its beauty and wildness, but it can go and go and go and go if we don’t figure out how to ground it. Reaching pure awareness through meditation is the essence of the masculine, which is here to hold the feminine so that she can safely flourish. xo
Amazing & Inspiring xo
Thank you love xx
I just cannot deal with how scary accurate you are. How in the world can you read my mind from so far away?!Seriously, it’s so nice to know that other people dream the same way that I do and that some of those people are living proof that I can achieve my little piece of heaven on earth, too.
Thank you so much Camille for continuing to write. I know that you’ve encountered some obstacles on your path but your ability to love through it all is inspiring to say the least.
Sending you positive vibes back to you!
Thank you so much love xoxo
Hi – I love your blog and your stories. Thanks! Let me share this with you
http://brainandsoul.org/annette-birkmann/
my former farmmate posted this article and halfway through reading it I realized I served you tea in the tea house at Cosmic Convergence 🙂 hope you’re doing loverly in this Costa Rican winter! I bounce between Osa Peninsula and Manuel Antonio and Londres. Drop a line, anytime!
Ahhhhhh that is so awesome!!!! What a sweet experience that was at the teahouse, thank you for it! Would love to see you on the Osa someday 🙂 I’m based in Puerto Viejo xx
Hi! I just wanted to say that I really love your articles and the way you write, it’s so inspiring and gives me that feeling of not giving a f*ck what anyone else is thinking and just go for your dreams…. Thanks a lot for sharing 🙂
Thank you love I’m so grateful to hear that <3
Hi, My name is Karine. I am a french woman and I recently start a travel blog in french : https://sacavoyage.fr/
I love travelling and I am looking on other blogs to find ideas for my future destinations… Your blog is very interesting and I thank you for all informations and beautifull pictures you post !
nice photographs
cute pics