Dreams Unrealized.

07
Mar
2012
By

Dreams don’t always work out. That brilliant idea I had last spring (the one that had strong momentum from the beginning and was my ticket to getting on the Oprah show)? Well, I got busy, and the idea got pushed to the bottom of my priority list last summer.

The flower garden I drew plans for? The manuscript I wrote (that would have been a best-seller)? The marathon I planned to run as the final task of my Feed My Starving Children fundraiser? The personal record I had hoped for but didn’t achieve in the half marathon? The relationship pursued? The job sought?

Small or large, running or in life, whether they are yours or mine, dreams don’t always work out.

That’s just the way things are.

The step immediately following the unsuccessful dream is crucial to survival, I think. It must be a step of intention. Haphazardly moving in any direction is dangerous, as you don’t want to set yourself up for a second disappointment just because you didn’t think things through well.

A complete halt is equally risky. Out of fear, you might not get going again.

So what do you do with your unrealized dreams?

Sadly, I don’t have the answer this morning. But that is the distinct question in my head.

  • http://shervanonline.com/ Shervanonline

    so what’s an  unrealized goal or dream?

  • http://www.brigittelyons.com/ Brigitte Lyons

    I think you keep throwing yourself at the wall until you break through it.

    • http://www.twitter.com/lovingtherun Kelly

      This comment will be written on a post-it note and placed on my bathroom mirror…and in the kitchen…and on my computer at work…and maybe in my car…Thank you, Brigitte. That is what I want to do. :)

  • http://twitter.com/runreadrant Caron ET

    I like Ward’s differentiation. My advice would be to narrow your focus. Pick one. After that pick another. Don’t stop adding on those dreams.:)

    • http://www.twitter.com/lovingtherun Kelly

      Adjusting those dreams and goals is the hard part, yes?

  • http://twitter.com/winloseorWard Ward

    In my mind I differentiate between dreams and goals. I think your dreams always have a chance to be realized, just not always in the way or timing that you would hope for. Goals are something to me that can either happen or not. They involve a deadline or a specific task to be completed. I guess what I’m saying is even though your dreams seem unrealized they still have a chance to work out. I know I have “unrealized” or “unfulfilled” dreams that I’m not giving up on!

    • http://www.twitter.com/lovingtherun Kelly

      I had to go look up the definition of both “dream” and “goal.” Based on what I saw, maybe this should have been titled “Goals Unrealized.” :) Regardless of the semantics, the question remains the same. What do you do the moment you realize you fell short of something you had pursued with such passion and intention? Qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon might have been the dream/goal…or writing a book…or launching a brilliant idea…

      I think I pause. I rein in my lofty dreams/goals. I focus on that which I know I can succeed at. I hurt. And then…I hope to try again.

      • http://twitter.com/winloseorWard Ward

        I guess the moment I realize I fell short of something I probably sulk. Maybe goals aren’t always attainable, but they are necessary to succeed at anything. I think you setting goals that are lofty is the best way to go because it always leaves you striving and not getting complacent. Granted, that may lead to disappointments, but you learn from that for the next time :)

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