Dream Big!

 I think there is a power to being willing to dream big. Years ago I watched the movie, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". I totally related to his character. I am one who dreams big and will get lost in the wonder of my own daydreams. There's the dream I imagine...and then there's reality. I always fall incredibly short of my amazing dreams. But the power in the dream is to dare to try to make it happen. The more consistently I allow myself to dream and then to dare to try, the more adventurous I become. I feel you are never too old to learn something new or try a new hobby or develop a desired talent. Life is meant to be lived fully and the best way to live fully is to dream and then work to make those dreams a reality. I learned how to snow ski when I was 44 years old, after the birth of my 7th child. I had tried it once, just months before I found out I was pregnant with my little bonus baby. I loved it that day, amidst the falling and awkwardness of it all. The winter after my little guy was born I determined to really learn and get into this new sport. I fell in love!!! I pushed the limits of my ability because I was so desirous to learn and to try new terrain and steeper runs. I realized that the only thing holding me back was my fears, and a little more consistent practice to improve. I told myself one day that I had to decide to not be afraid of falling and that I would be able to push the limits of my current abilities even more. So I did! That day I yelled from the lift on the back side of the mountain at Sundance, "I'm not afraid to fall!" I was by myself on the chair. I didn't care what anyone who could hear me would think. I was declaring it to the mountain and to myself. Consequently, in January of my 2nd ski season I skied my first black diamond run and have challenged myself to ski any black diamond I could after that. I have since taught others how to ski and spend many glorious days by myself skiing the mountains of Utah and just finished my 4th season. I feel I can do anything I put my mind to in life. I just have to want it and feel the price is worth paying. With this belief in myself and the willingness to put in the work required, I can become anything, learn anything, and do anything I put my mind to.