How many of you have, in the secret recesses of your hearts, nurtured a dream or a desire that has not seen the light of day, because you do not have the courage or confidence to excavate it from the deepest reaches of your soul?

So it lies buried in your subconscious as you go about your task of living your day to day existence. Even if it wants to raise its head occasionally, you ruthlessly pull it down and stamp on it because you feel you don’t have the conviction to make it come true. But however hard you try to erase or evade this desire, it will continue to flicker and live in the hope of resurrection. This longing and yen will overlay and colour your life to a large extent.

“For many a flower is born to blush unseen and cast its sweetness on the night” says Wordsworth. How true!

Many of you wish you were more creative. Many of you sense you are creative, but are unable to effectively tap that creativity. Your desires and dreams elude you and your lives feel somehow flat. You are unable to actualise them for yourself.

These longings can take the form of something creative, like writing a book, painting, acting in plays, or starting a business in designing clothes. It can also take the form of something physical like visiting a foreign country, mountain climbing, and bungy jumping etc.

You hug these thoughts to yourself, as you are afraid of ridicule or scorn. You are also plagued by the fear of falling flat on your face or the fear of it not coming true or falling short of expectations. You make excuses like ‘I don’t have time’, or that ‘I am too old’ or ‘I don’t have the finances’.

Articulate your desires

You are unconsciously erecting barriers, seemingly insurmountable, to protect yourself from failing or succeeding.

You may think that you are protecting yourself by ignoring or denying your creative impulses or desires, but all you are really doing is burying your authentic self.

Don’t play it safe anymore. Take the risk and allow your desires to speak. Train your heart and soul to listen. If there is something you long to do, or volunteer to do, take action now. Make your dream a reality. Life is too precious to squander and talents are too valuable to waste.

RESPONSE TO CHALLENGE

Don’t be “A would be if I could be or a could be if I would be. Just be.”
Don’t waste time on regrets or ‘if only.’

Be kind to yourself. Call forth the dream you buried long ago. The ember is still glowing in your soul.
Dispel all doubts and fears. Don’t be afraid of disappointment or failure. Life is all about getting up, falling down and getting up again.

Enlist the help of family and friends to assist you in this venture. Ask them for their feedback.
Take steps and actions to lead you towards your goal. For example, if you want to be a dancer, sign up for dancing lessons. If you want to be a writer, join a creative writing class.
Once you make your honest effort, you will see how easily things will fall into place.

Reach for the sky. The stars are yours!