My Dreams Call to Me

"Yellowstone at Sunset"
Photograph

Today I am feeling the effects of day after day winter. I hibernate, yet dream of sunny days and traveling and adventure. I met someone the other day who said she used to work at the Grand Canyon. That immediately brought back memories of my time spent there serving the many, many tourists who came through to stare at this Natural Wonder. Such a melting pot of personalities it was, yet the quiet of Winter there appealed to my isolated, meditative side when tourists were fewer. All in all, a great experience that rejuvenated my soul. The photo above was actually taken at Geyser Basin, a gem of beauty found at Yellowstone National Park , another incredible place I worked at during those days of hopping, depending on seasonal need, from one National Park to another. I was beginning to get lost in past memories, reflecting on those days gone by. On top of this, a few days ago, my partner started stating out loud his dream to travel, to interview people, to write a book. We had just come back from a poetry gathering where an author had shared his experiences of traveling and gathering information for the compilation of his own book. His dreams had stoked my partner's dreams which had stoked my own dreams. Our energies seemed to connect and kindle the fires burning within each of us. I realize now that sitting isolated at home with my creativity does not always fill my well with possibilities such as this author had discussed and I was grateful I was sitting there, taking in his words. Putting this back onto my own self, I pondered the idea of taking photographs of people, places and events as we traveled around the country. I thought of the Western part of the U.S., from South to North and remembered how dazzled I was by nature's diversity at every corner we turned. And that doesn't even include the beauty of the whole world, either (which my backpacking vagabond self longs for). For many hours thereafter, images and experiences permeated my heart and soul, calling to my dreamer self. My companion contributed to my dreaming reverie this morning, saying, "I can just see you at a gallery, with your paintings all around, and people coming up to you asking about the deeper meanings of each creation". So dream mode I was certainly staying in, with little resistance on y part. I am a dreamer, always have been, always will be and exclaim that proudly to the world now. This is in direct contrast to how I used to feel when my dad would say to me. "You're such a dreamer" and I'd feel my self-worth go down the drain. How would a dreamer amount to anything, is what I took into my own self? I know now that I need to dream, to embrace this vital part of me, to foster the possibilities and then to take action. As I type "action", suddenly that fearful little voice (the ego) jumps out at me, saying sarcastically, "Yeah right, how are you going to do that?"
and immediately reality comes crashing in. Along with doubt, negativity and all other various companions of my ego. Then my heart comes back fighting, saying "Just put it out there, your dreams, they will happen. No hows or whys necessary". Visualize, like the new age, visionary coaches say. The energy you send out will come back tenfold, making everything you want in your life happen. My heart jumped up and down, feeling victorious.
I listen to my heart's voice telling me to write down my dreams, and what I love, and hold them dear to me from now on. And perhaps, someday soon, I will be standing on those shores of Lake Yellowstone taking photos again, at the very least. And the rest, I leave up to the Universe. May all your dreams come true as well.