Inspiring Others

Posted by Marci on Dec 2, 2010 in | 1 comment

Starting this website was difficult. I disliked the idea that someone could Google my name and find my deepest desires and dreams. I liked my privacy, but I wanted to share the journey that changed my life. Not to brag, but to say that if I could go from a place of deep sadness to having the life of my dreams, then so could others.

I’m still shy about sharing my journey. As I meet new people, and tell them about the site, I want to delete it. But something amazing has happened in sharing my experience. People have begun to tell me about their lists. Having dreams is one thing that connects all humans. It doesn’t matter what continent you’ve grown up on, or your religious background, you have a list in your head of what you want to experience before you die. These dreams are so precious that many times they’re not shared.

Soon after making my list public, I did a speaking engagement about going after your dreams. A few people gathered at the local library with notebooks in hand. I had them close their eyes and remember their childhood days when they played make-believe.

There wasn’t a person who’d forgotten their childhood wishes, but many hadn’t shared them with anyone else. We discussed the things that held us back and how it’s hard to make time for inner passions when you’re caught up in the daily grind. We talked about how easy it is to ignore the inner voice whispering our needs because we’re afraid. I realized that the fear that holds us back is the greatest gift we could ever receive. When we’re really afraid to do something, it’s because to fail at something so close to our heart feels as if it could break us.

One woman spoke of longing to sculpt her entire life. Years ago, a master teacher offered to give her classes, but the woman came up with excuses. In her heart she knew she was meant to sculpt, but her fear of letting go to the dream, to an art form that could take hold and pull her into her passion terrified her.

We spoke of laziness and willpower. I told the group that in order to have the strength to go after your dreams you must first embrace your sloth. Not the sit on the couch with no motivation because you’ve given up, but the sloth that finds the relaxation that fills the spirit, clears the mind, and refreshes the body. It’s too easy to make a life that will impress others instead of the life your heart desires. By going within through meditation you clear out the junk and find the truth.

As I spoke to the group, the lessons I’ve learned in life came back to me. They reminded me of things I had forgotten to do. I watched these people tear up as they remembered that they were worth having their dreams and what they really wanted.

When I left, I felt high, blessed. This group of people taught me that sharing myself brings great rewards not only in the fact that I touch someone else, but that they in turn touch my heart.