52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 24

How many of us as adults live a life of adventure and taking risks and exploring and having fun?

How many adults do you know with scraped up knees? Even symbolically?

I attended a photography seminar last week that left my mind and emotions reeling as I try to process it all. Something awoke within me and resonated so deeply. I know it is part of the creative process. I know that it is something that God is stirring, I feel it in my spirit.

We all start out with that sense of adventure, we are made to explore and grow daily, these are major accomplishments. As a child you are not judged for how you look or sound, you are accepted and encouraged, you are a success.

Somehow in our growing up, many of us set aside what comes naturally, the things that excite us, we set aside dreams. Maybe it is because of a lack of confidence, or because of a sense of responsibility. The dream just doesn't seem possible and so, instead, we start to do what is easier, or seems logical or just achievable.

Is there still, deep inside of us, though, that child buried beneath the responsibility of adulthood? Do we ever really grow up or do we just adapt to the expectations of others? Of our society? We learn to stay within the lines, drawn by somebody else.

Do you ever just feel like a child disguised as an adult? Is there something inside waiting to break free? That others have pushed down? That maybe you have squashed?

What if there is more? What if we truly lived every day? Not just being a cog in the machine, but with a freedom and a purpose. To each day know that you made a difference in the life of somebody else, no matter how small. To know that you really connected and were feeling.

Most of you reading this are adults and we do have responsibilities. Don't get me wrong and abandon your kids to go live your adventure, but hear me when I say it is about our outlook and our motivation. Take a step back and re-evaluate what you are doing and why. Maybe it is time to make some changes, maybe it is time to re-visit an old dream or maybe you just need to give yourself permission to dream again?

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 3

My children have always loved the swings at playgrounds, I spent countless hours pushing them and yet it seemed it was never enough. The exhilaration, the sense of freedom? Maybe they felt like they were flying? At times, I confess, I would get bored and encourage them onto some other piece of apparatus, but they always came back to the swings. Now look at my baby...she can fly on her own and fly she does!

As I look at my life it seems there is rarely time to dream. These years with young children are full of dishes and cooking and laundry and running to and from one place to another. Yet I truly would not have it any other way...I know I will look back at this time as one of the richest of my life.

I entered a giveaway today where the question was "Tell me about a milestone or dream you have achieved or would love to achieve." I took a deep breath to try to think of anything! Surprisingly it came quickly to me and it wasn't about a career or great opportunity but it was my marriage. My parents divorced shortly before I hit my teen years and it was devastating. For many years I doubted that I wanted to ever marry, to risk it all when after five children and a life of ministry it could still all be thrown away? But deep inside I dreamed of a marriage that was strong, that was full of love and laughter and support. My husband also came from a family of divorce and had the same dream...last week we celebrated sixteen years of marriage. We have outlasted both our parents' marriages and are still going strong. I am blessed to have my best friend by my side to share life with!

As a family too we are starting to dream. Not one for resolutions, a few days into the start of the year I decided we would have a family dream list. Some of our dreams are completely realistic and some seem incredibly extravagant and unlikely, but we are writing them down and we will try to make them happen. The children are helping us come up with the ideas and we have 68 so far on our list which is to be 100. A simple one which we achieved this weekend, was to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. I have lived here for 14 years and had never done it, but now we can cross it off the list. I'll be sure to let you know when we get to swim with dolphins or vacation on a houseboat or visit Thailand again and if you know anyone who owns a dog sledding team, let us know :)

Our time frame is before the kids grow up and move out, so we have a while. It was fun coming up with ideas and felt good to write them down and give airy dreams, skin and bones. Speaking it out, writing it down - I highly recommend it!