Being the Daydreamer

I am one of those daydreamers.
As a daydreamer I can see the potential of things but it maybe 20, 30 or more years before it could come into reality. As a daydreamer one of the challenges for me is the tension between what can be and what is in the realm of real time.The vision that begins to form in the dreaming, can seem so real and so present...like I can reach out and touch it. Then as my focus comes back into this realm where time exists, I am confronted with the distance between the dream and the details to make this dream a reality. For many years I have struggled with this part of me. I like the comfort of being a realist...operating in what I can see and understand...yet I can see things that others don't. I can see the potential; I can see the possibilities; I can see the options. Some people call this "the eye of faith". And this causes a hunger in me to move beyond the barriers and reach for these things that I can see.
After some experiences of sharing my daydreaming thoughts and having them shot down, I began to starve this side of myself. I would not indulge my dreaming as often. It seemed to bring disappointment and misunderstanding. It seemed to just be "pipe dreams" that had no true substance. But in time I began to see some of my earlier dreams begin to take shape. I began to recognize doors opening, and I started making steps that ushered in the reality of these earlier dreams. It was like a seed had been planted in those times of dreaming. Then it had laid dormant until the right season came for the seed to turn into the plant and produce its fruit. With this new understanding, I began to engage in the daydreaming again but with some better understanding this time. My desire is to share some nuggets to help encourage the daydreamers out there and to bring more understanding to those called alongside the daydreamers (friends, spouses, business partners, etc.). (click on READ MORE)

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Nuggets for Daydreamers....

1. In Daydreaming there is no time.
It is a time to see the possibilities so a vision can develop. It is a time to expand your thoughts to see beyond the barriers of time and other details in the reality realm. It can feel like "Today" is the day of this dream and yet it may be many years before it comes into reality.

2. Let the dream soak or marinate in your heart and thoughts.
Journaling can be a helpful tool in this process. Also, find a friend that will engage in dreaming with you (drawing out the dream; letting you express the dream) without any judgment...listening. Be careful who you share the dream with though. Some people can't engage in the dreaming process. They may love you but their mind can be so engaged in the details of the realities that dreaming in this way overwhelms and frustrates them.

3. Test out the dream.
Find a small step or two that you could do to move towards the dream.You don't need to share the dream at this time...just test it in a small and quiet way (researching). As you move towards the dream, I have found that either the vision will grow clearer or the desire will diminish. Putting small reality steps to the dream helps me understand if it is turning into a vision to pursue or not.

4. Transform the dream into a vision.
This is a point where you are ready to share the dream with others. It is no longer a daydreamer's dream; it is now a vision of something to create. People need this vision in small bites and steps to help them "see" it with you. They need to see that it can be done and how it can be done. People need to understand the "why" of the vision, but they may not be able to see the BIG UNIVERSE picture that you see yet. Stay with the small steps.

5. Manage your excitement, inspiration, passion.
Know how much to share and when it is enough. When you have gone too far, you will know. People will begin to choke. Just back up and cut it into smaller bites.

6. Don't stop dreaming.
Journal your daydreaming to help you remember. Value the dreams. Realize others will have to be part of bringing the vision to pass that develops out of the dream. Don't block them out because they don't understand your daydreaming.
Find out how to share with them so they can come along with you at the right time of the process.

7. Daydreaming breaks through barriers.
Daydreaming helps expand your thoughts into possibilities that you or others may have never seen. This phenomenon causes the daydreamer to feel like they are standing on top of the mountain looking over a huge expanse. They feel like they can fly and the view is amazing to the daydreamer!

8. Appreciate the others.
Remember not everyone is a daydreamer. Everyone can have and needs to have vision but not everyone is a daydreamer. Daydreamers like to fly. Daydreamers like to see the sunsets or sunrises from the mountain tops. Others who are more into the details of life may like walking versus flying. They may prefer to watch the grass growing versus seeing the sunsets or sunrises. And without the detail oriented people...the vision will never be accomplished.

I think of my husband's comments to me as I would start to share the dreams..."That just means more work for me."
Yes, the dream is exhilarating and the dream ultimately means WORK! It takes both the Dreamer and the Detailer. Learn to appreciate each other.

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