Children allow their imaginations to run free, investing in dreams and desires with such passion that what is unreal begins to feel real.
Children dream without boundaries. Then somewhere along the way things change. We grow up and lose touch with our childhood aspirations. We take fewer risks and dismiss the desires of our inner princesses.
And in the process, creativity and joy are often squelched.
We can learn a lot about ourselves by digging up old dreams through the process of introspection, self-reflection, and journaling. Believe it not, God is the author of our dreams and wants to use them to bless us and others if we allow it. Take one of mine for example.
As a young girl I had wanted desperately to start a club. I remember putting the idea to paper and attempting to collect “dues” from my little girl friends. My vision for the group included meeting on a regular basis to discuss important things and work on craft projects. I wanted to create something special but at 10 or 11 years old, I didn’t have the power or resources to get things off the ground. I thought that was the end of the story… until a few years ago when my buried dream resurfaced.
It was during a conversation with a group of women in my home that I realized I had been chasing my little girl dream all along!
For nearly two decades I had been gathering women to connect and create (even collecting “dues” for various projects). The realization of this “dream come true” has brought with it a sense of joy and purpose. It also makes me wonder about other buried treasure.
If you are interested in doing a little “excavating” of your own, the following journaling prompts will help you get started:
1. What types of activities, games, or toys thrilled you as a child?
2. What did you want to become when you grew up?
3. How did you spend your free time?
4. Take a moment to reflect on your past. Make a list of dreams you have had over the years. Does anything still tug at you today?
5. If you were to dream without boundaries, what would that look like?
Embracing our childhood dreams can bring joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment to the here and now. Those seeds planted long ago are clues to help steer us towards the unimaginable. Perhaps like me, you will discover you have been chasing something all along.
