When most of us fantasize about our ideal life, we follow a pattern. We think of how much money we would have, what we’d own, what house we’d live in, maybe the relationships we would have, and the way we’d spend our days.
In a nutshell, we’ve learnt that we should dream about what we want to get.
Ever tried explaining Christmas to a child? No matter how much you tell them it’s about religion and celebrating the birth of Christ, they know better. All the catalogues, ads, shop displays and well-meaning adults saying “what are you hoping Santa will bring you?” have taught them that the reality of Christmas comes down to one word: PRESENTS.
It seems that even after we give up believing in Santa, we still hold fast to that conviction. Maybe it doesn’t come delivered by sleigh on one special day of the year anymore, but even if we have to go out and get it for ourselves, the scorecard is still about what you own, have, and can buy.
If that’s success, though, why do so many lottery winners end up broke and miserable, having lost relationships as well as money in the course of discovering that it wasn’t what they thought it would be?
The happiest people, on the other hand, come in all shapes and sizes, across all levels of income. They know it’s not about what you have, earn or own. The true measure of living your ideal life is finding one where you’re expressing yourself, giving fully of who you are, sharing the unique gifts that you bring to the world, and shining the brightest you can be. A life where you are, unreservedly and wholeheartedly, your ultimate self.
The good news is you don’t have to win the lottery to start living your dream life. Nothing stops you from giving except doubts that you’re good enough. We all fear being judged and found wanting, but when you’re offering of yourself, remember that the saying goes “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”. Forget about your own fears and focus on what you’re giving.
That’s where living the life of your dreams truly starts.
