When was the last time you let yourself sit down and dream about your future? Kids do it all the time but, as we get older, we often shun this behaviour as a frivolous indulgence. It’s World Dream Day, so this week’s Simple Living Sunday mission is embracing the idea that you’re never too old to dream. Will you dream along with me?
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.
John Barrymore
Three simple pleasures and highlights
Continuing my practice of celebrating the simple things in life, here are three simple pleasures and highlights of the last week.
- The houseplants I repotted a couple of weeks ago are enjoying a major growth spurt.
- We welcomed fall—my favourite season—with cooler nighttime temperatures toward the end of the week. Although I had to cover up my tomato plants, the cooler nights are so much better for sleeping.
- Friday was a beautiful fall day. My daughter Colleen and I enjoyed a nice walk in the afternoon. Her college classes on Thursdays and Fridays are online so it’s nice to have her home during the day.
This week’s simple living focus: You’re never too old to dream
“You’re such a dreamer!” Has anyone ever said that to you? If you’re over the age of 12, there’s a pretty good chance that they didn’t mean it as a compliment.
When you were a kid, you likely spent a lot of time dreaming about the future. The adults in your life probably encouraged you to dream big. So, why does the dreaming stop when we reach adulthood? I suppose it comes down to a simple four-letter word called…LIFE! Work, bills, family, and all those other responsibilities keep us too busy to take the time to dream.
World Dream Day is a day intended to change all that. It’s a day for people around the world to declare, share, celebrate and activate their dreams.
Great things start with a dream
It may be that those who do most, dream most.
Stephen Butler Leacock
Imagine how different the world would be without some of the inventions that changed our lives.
- What if prehistoric humans had simply accepted carrying heavy loads over long distances and not bothered to invent the wheel to make the task simpler?
- What if the Wright Brothers had given up on their dream of taking flight?
- Or, what if Alexander Graham Bell’s research on hearing and speech hadn’t inspired him to experiment with listening devices and ultimately led him to invent the telephone?
The world’s greatest inventions all started with a dream so why doesn’t society embrace and encourage dreamers? Maybe it’s time to start spreading the message that you’re never too old to dream.
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Three things to do this week
Your dreams might not lead to the world’s next great invention. Then again, maybe they will. You’ll never know if you don’t allow yourself to indulge in a little reverie.
Here are three things to do this week to start chasing your dreams.
Set aside 30 minutes to dream
The first step is to give yourself permission to dream. Set aside 30 minutes this week to indulge. This is your chance to think big.
Don’t forget to grab a pen and paper because you’re more likely to achieve your dreams if you write them down. Here are some prompts to get you started.
- When I was a kid, I dreamed of …
- If time and money were no object, I would …
- One thing I really want to achieve in my life is …
- What superpowers do I have that could enable this?
- What’s stopping me from doing this?
- How can I overcome those barriers?
Share your dream
Whether your dream is to change careers, run a marathon, write a novel, or start a rock band, you’ve taken a big first step by writing it down.
The next step is to share it. Tell a friend or family member about it. You can also share it on social media using the hashtag #WorldDreamDay or drop me a comment below to tell me about it.
Or, if you’re a blogger, share it in a blog post. Here’s mine: I dream of retiring from my full-time job and using my skills and knowledge to help others.
Plan to get started
Dream big. Start small. But most of all start.
Simon Sinek
Until you actually start working on it, your dream is just a fantasy. You don’t have to do it all at once, but it’s important to make a plan and get started.
Write down one thing you will do this week to work toward making your dream a reality. Be as specific as possible:
- What will you do?
- When will you do it?
- How will you do it?
Then schedule time in your calendar to make sure it gets done.
This week, I will make an inventory of skills that I have and how they can help others. Then, I will research opportunities for gig work, and charities that I could volunteer with, so that I can use those skills after I retire from my job.
Every day, we hear stories of older adults breaking down barriers and proving you’re never too old to dream. If you need a little inspiration, read this story of Japanese athlete Hiromu Inada who will be the first 90-year-old to complete an Ironman. Proof that anything is possible.
What’s your dream and what will you do this week to make it a reality? Tell me your thoughts below.
This saying goes along with ‘The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second best time is today.’
Life should always be travelled looking forward, and we should always make do with what we’ve got. And I say even if we want to learn the piano at 70, we should! I’ve even seen 100-year-old marathon runners that is Mike Fremont, so what else can’t we do, eh? Thanks for this post!
I agree 100%. We should never think we’re too old to learn and try new things. I started singing in a rock band at 52. It’s something I never thought I could do and I love it. We have to constantly challenge ourselves even in small ways. Thanks for stopping by, Stuart.
“Most of all, start!” Inspiring! The idea of “dreams” (as in goals) has changed throughout my life. When I was younger, it used to be big and bold dreams… I want to change the world, I want to help people, I want to find my prince charming! As I have experienced real life, the idea of dreams to me, right now, has changed to hitting those small wins over time and adjusting expectations! Instead of changing the world, I want to create a better home life for my daughter (because it can truly be life-altering for her), I do still want to help people but I don’t want to do it at my mental health’s expense and I have to be realistic with that dream too, and maybe prince charming is someone who never knows where he leaves his housekeys… lol it’s all relative as you age I think!
My recent dream of sharing my writing has come true and to some, blogging, is a small, easily-attainable dream and to others, that’s their biggest fear is to share their inner-most thoughts….
I agree that age brings wisdom and a different perspective. My dreams at 58 may seem quite boring to younger people. Like you, it’s less about changing the world and more about making my little corner of the world better. My dreams at this stage are of creating a plan for my retirement that will let me feel useful and keep me busy…while still allowing me time for the leisure activities I currently love and to pursue some that I don’t have time for while working. And…I may just write a book one day. That would be cool.
I dream about writing a book, a memoir actually and tomorrow I start by attending the first workshop. Its up to me as to whether it happens or not.
That’s fantastic Judy. I will read your book if you write one. Writing a book is something that’s on my retirement list. I just have no idea what kind of book I would write. Lots to ponder!
I will read your book as well. Let’s do it!