Manifesting our Dreams

Almost three years ago, I attended an unusual cocktail party. A roomful of adults was playing make-believe. 

My class of coaching trainees projected ourselves into the future. We were told to pretend that it was one year later, and that we were here to discuss the wonderful things that had happened to us within the past year.

As I paused to prepare for our game, I reflected on my biggest hopes for the future, one of which felt too private to share - almost.

I greeted my friends with enthusiasm exceeding the circumstances, given that we'd been sitting in the same room together all morning. And then I shared my big news. 

"I bought a house!" I said, waving my arms excitedly. "It's a beautiful purple Victorian with amazing original architectural details. ...And such great timing, because -- (deep inhale) -- I had a baby!" Asked the baby's name, I blurted the first thing that came to my mind. "Lola!" -- A girl, I thought to myself. How sweet that would be. "And I published a book!" The most important part of the exercise was to really get into the feeling space of those successes, to act "as if," to better draw the energy of those events into our lives. Of course, it felt a bit ridiculous to be telling people that I had published a book right after having a baby, but they were two of my dreams, so I just went with it.

Fast forward one year later. We bought a house, a village colonial which is pretty darn similar to a victorian. It's 100 years old, and has some amazing original details, plus modern touches that I especially enjoy in the winter, like a huge jacuzzi tub and steam shower. It's white with blue shutters. But as of mid-July, it will be painted pale green with cream trim and purple shutters. Two months later, I had a baby girl, Dalia. 

Another two years have passed, and on April 1st, the anniversary of our big move, I published The Other Baby Book. I co-authored it with a close friend who I didn't know at the time of the cocktail party. Three years earlier, I would have told you that my book would be about finding your life's calling. And now, looking back, I can appreciate that motherhood has truly been that for me. Of course, it's just one part of what I feel called to do. Coaching is a big part of that as well. But three years ago I never would have told you I would be writing a book about parenting. 

Life doesn't always turn out exactly as we plan it. But the good news is, we have the power to make most of our dreams come true. All it takes is getting clear on what we want, and believing that we can have it. Then we can follow the path of our dreams.