Written in August 2024, this poem arose from moments of reflection on the importance of realizing one’s potential and pushing the limits to achieve dreams by being willing to try new experiences.
I have heard the comment that we should not be encouraging our children to dream BIG and that we should instead be teaching our children to be content with what their lives, and living in the context of appreciation for what they may have, be it fair or not. And yes, that to me is about living with gratitude. Nothing at all wrong with that for we would be in a better place as individuals and as a society with more gratitude.
However, in my view, we may well short change ourselves and each other by not dreaming, and by not following or living our dreams. And the bigger the better! Dreams embolden us. Dreams dare us to move beyond the limits. Dreams inspire us to be more or better than we are. And they are not meant to be only lived in our sleep.
Our dreams inform our life and our choices in how we live and practice our life. Our dreams are the foundation to the writing of our own song, even if that song evolves and is written over time. And there are songs written, being written and to be written that cause the world to be better every day. Living one’s song is about growing and realizing one’s potential.
Dream it. Write it. Sing it. Live it.
Living your Song
Are you dancing to the music you’ve written
Are you singing the words to your song
Are you living those dreams from your childhood
Are you sharing love with spirit strong
Are you ready to try something new
To step out from behind the tried and true
To take a chance in breaking new ground
Going beyond what you’ve already found
To be comfortable is both OK and fine
Yet it may not be what makes you shine
To live and learn means spreading your wings
Finding one’s passion so your heart sings
The steps do not need to be too large a jump
Yet enough to give your heart more than a bump
Perhaps it’s music and being a DJ
Or dancing and acting, maybe on Broadway
Maybe it’s writing a story or poem
Or making your house more of a home
Or becoming a coach or playing a new sport
Or travelling afar and visiting new ports
You may have to push hard or be a bit crazy
For sure, you will have to be a lot more than lazy
Dream big and go for it; you will then be content
That you have tried and not later resent
Yes, the day-to-day stuff needs a lot of your mind
In fact, it can make your life a real grind
Yet it is important to remember your song
As we’re not here for very long
It will not be easy to go into the unknown
Yet once done, your talents will have grown
With confidence gained and out of the groove
The world’s your oyster; you’ve nothing more to prove
There will be times that life seems to much or unfair
But you’re not on your own; you’ve got others to share
You’ve got the strength to get to the final wire
The mountains are but there to take us higher
Be and do what is important for who you are
Attend to life’s big rocks and you’ll be your own star
The light you shine will help others to find
Their path forward and own peace of mind
Be true to you no matter your choice
That in itself is a reason to rejoice
If your choices are made with kindness and love
You will bring joy to those with you and those watching above
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