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Really living your childhood dreams ... you're closer than you think!

My book club met Tuesday to discuss one of my favorites: “The Last Lecture,” by Randy Pausch.  If you aren’t inclined to read the book, you can see the real lecture on YouTube; it’s totally worth an hour of your life. I’ve happily read the book three times.

Something that got me thinking this time around was the section called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”

Randy had some great and quirky dreams as a kid—to float in space like an astronaut, to play in the NFL, to be Captain Kirk, to win GIANT stuffed animals at carnivals, and to design rides at Disneyland.

And in one way or another … not always in the exact way he initially envisioned … he achieved every one of them. (I’d tell you the story of each one but you’ll have a lot more fun reading it yourself.) So one thing I learned from Randy is that your dreams will probably take an entirely new shape that may not be the one you initially thought.

It got me started thinking … what were my childhood dreams, and have I achieved them? 

I quickly remembered three vivid dreams. So here they are with a little reflection on each:

Dream at age 6: To own 100 dogs. Reflection: I’m now on dog #12. Okay, so I may never get to 100, but I’ve discovered I don’t need 100 of them to feel huge amounts of love for dogs and be loved in return. I know now that was my real ambition.

Dream at age 10: To be an Olympic broad-jumper. Reflection: It wasn’t important enough for me to pursue, but those dreams of what it would feel like up on that rostrum were pretty sweet. Sometimes we can just enjoy the fantasy while it lasts and let it run its course without bitterness.

Dream at age 14: As a famous writer, to be a guest on the Dick Cavett Show the same night as one of the Beatles, preferably George. Reflection: I like writing, talking, and lead guitarists, and I don’t shy away from the spotlight. As it happens, my husband is an amazing singer and guitarist and I write, talk, and teach a large group on a regular basis. Works for me!

Two final thoughts as we consider our childhood dreams:

* Childhood dreams reveal who we really were—and deep down, still are.  When you lovingly remember your dreams, you’ll gain an appreciation for your own (valuable and unique) personality.

* And … most importantly … It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. If you’re breathing, you can pursue your dream. Open yourself to the possibility that they could still happen, even in the magnificent way you imagined.

After all, people become dog breeders all the time. And I'd settle for 20!

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