LIVE YOUR DREAM

There's lots of talk flying around about pursuing one's dream(s). You see it on posters. Read it on bumper stickers. Hear it in movies. But what is this business of pursuing one's dreams really all about anyway? How do we bring it from the realm of the ethereal and the abstract into the tangible world of the real and the achievable? Well, let's take a look at a few of the signposts along the road of life that will help give you an indication of what you were called or meant to do with your life, or at least, what you can engage in to the betterment of yourself and others.

What brings you joy?

A strong indicator of natural gifting is the sheer enjoyment you get from doing something. We have been created in such a way (yep, I do mean created) that our God-given talents are designed to tug at our heart-strings. When we direct our energy and effort into putting these gifts and talents to use, it fills our hearts with joy. These are the things that we would happily do for free if we had to because the satisfaction we derive from doing them is reward enough in and of itself. If you want to begin to understand what your dream is connected to, examine what brings you joy. The story does however not end here. When it comes to identifying what we were meant to do with our lives, joy is not enough. Think the opening rounds of American or Pop Idols. There is no shortage of us who have a desperate desire to do something, but the natural gifting simply is not present. Now, don't get me wrong...if doing something gives you joy, no matter how much you suck at it, then it's absolutely worth doing. :) However, what we're talking about here is the pursuit of dreams and the identification of gifting, and that almost always involves the kinds of things that impact not only our own lives for the better, but also the lives of those around us. To this end, the joy we experience in doing something is only one piece of the puzzle.

What comes easily to you?

What I'm referring to here are the kinds of things that you can do that require hardly any effort; they kinda just flow or ooze out of you. This is one of the hallmarks of natural gifting. Now, this doesn't mean to say that any gift or talent can not be sharpened and made to be more effective with effort and discipline. There is always room for improvement. However, there are certain things that we do with an immediate level of proficiency right out of the starting blocks. This is an indication of God-given talent. In fact, it's also one of the reasons why many people often fail to recognise their gifts. These gifts are typically things that they can do with such ease that they simply figure there's no big deal to it. They think to themselves that if it's so easy for them to do, it must be easy for everyone else, and they consequently dismiss the significance of their ability. This may well be something that you have fallen prey to. Don't. Just because something is easy for you to do, does not mean that the same holds true for everyone else. Do not be so quick to write off the abilities that your Creator has blessed you with.

What are the voices around you saying?

Now, the important thing here is to listen to the right voices. Some voices are purely malicious and selfish in intent. They belong to people who can't stand the thought of others succeeding, because they have failed to embrace the courage to chase after their own dreams. Their attitude is one of, "If I can't live my dream, then no-one else ought to either." These kinds of voices need to be completely ignored. Do not validate them with a response. On the other hand, the voices that are worth listening to are the ones that have, over the course of your life, provided you with an honest estimation of the level of your talent or skill at a given task/activity. As you look back over the course of your life, you should be able to see a trend. Take singing for example. If 98% of all the people you have ever sung in front of have told you that you've caused them internal bleeding, it may be time for a sobering reality check. You can still sing for the love of it (an entirely valid motivation), but it may not be what you were called to do with your life in terms of positively impacting others. That's just the reality of life. If, however, your singing has been affirmed and validated over and over again by people whose opinion you have no reason to question, then you may very well have identified your calling, or at least one aspect of it. The honest feedback of those around you can be a powerful tool in realising what you were meant to do with your life.

So in summary: consider what you love doing, consider what comes naturally to you, and consider what has been affirmed through the honest feedback of those around you. If you are able to tick all 3 boxes, you may well be on your way to living your dream, and your life and the lives of countless others you cross paths with will be the richer for it.

Have you identified your dream? What's proven useful to you in doing so? What are you finding frustrating? Feel welcome to share your thoughts. Thanks for your time!
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Grant Alexander Cyster owns the blog entitled "I THINK, THEREFORE I ACHE.", offered as part of his Cape Town based freelance media business at: www.grantcyster.com