Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
~Mark Twain~
In the book, The Dolphin, Story of a Dreamer by Sergio F. Bambaren, there’s a line I love. “You have to dream so you can remember who you really are.” I love that dreams are not beyond our reach. The important ones to me are the ones we carry in the deep recesses of our soul.
Dreams
Stories are dreams to me. Each one is something we carry inside and without knowing the how or why, we begin in the telling. It might start with a whisper from character, a sense of place, or maybe a title blinks bright neon and you must get it down. Somewhere in the process, a dream is born and starts to breathe on its own.
Explore
As writers, we’re like the guardians of our stories; the vessel our characters emerge through and explore story, the guiding hand that very much wants to keep them safe and well tended, but knows the importance of allowing them to make decisions and awaken to themselves.
Discover
My wish for all of you is that you hold the kernel of your dreams close; enjoy and protect them. I love that every person is unique, and every journey is vastly different. What you discover along the way is enormous, and well worth finding for you. No need to look in the next lane, behind you, or look ahead so far that you trip and bang your nose. Everyone you see is on a journey, and I happen to think that’s a beautiful thing.
Explore, Dream, Discover…
What has you smiling today?
“What has you smiling today?”
That I made it through another birthday.
Great post, LaD. I especially identify with the “Guardian” scenario, and add that as guardians we also protect our work, as in either not letting others see it until completion, or realizing that critiques are merely suggestions/opinions/advice, and fall under the “use what you can – can what you can’t” category.
I’m smiling because the sun is out (for now; it’s supposed to rain, but I’m enjoying the moment). My sun just called, I’m reading an interesting book. I’m making career plans. And your blog just made me smile, too.
I’m a first believer in having and holding onto your dreams, LaD. What would we be without them?
I’m smiling right now because I have the day off and I’m leaving for the Spring Fling conference within the hour. I’d been looking forward to this break for a long time.
What an inspirational post! Thanks, LaDonna!
Kathy, happy you made it through another birthday! That’s what its all about; stacking those years like fabulous chapters.
And so true about the, “use what you can…” comment. A great thing to remember at the end of the day.
Edie, I’d say you started your day with a bang!
Everything you mentioned deserves a smile, but together makes for a happy dance day!
Liz, so true when you said… “What would we be without them?” It’s the dreams we carry that make us, Us.
And have fun at the Spring Fling, Liz! Can’t wait to hear about it when you get home. That conference rocks!
Hey, Cindy! And you are so welcome, girl! Sharing inspiration happens to be one of my favs things to do.
my granddaughter has me smiling today!
Your blog post def. has me smiling! What a wonderful post.
Karin, I saw mine today too! And it’s the best kind of smile.
Lucky us!
Lori, so glad you enjoyed! I appreciate your kind words so much. Now that made me smile.
LaD, I’m smiling because I’m finished my book. When I woke this morning, my mind and body couldn’t believe I didn’t need to get up at 5am to write because it is done!
YAY, Michelle!!
So happy for you and I tell ya, those books can’t get on the shelves quick enough for me. What a celebration we’ll have at Magical!