Written by: Tatiana Schloessman, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Our dreams absolutely matter, and they are important.
When we are young, we are so full of dreams. And we know beyond a doubt that those dreams will come true because we have plenty of time to make them real. We have not yet dabbled in self-doubt. However, as we grow older and busier with everyday life, we begin to set aside our dreams. Slowly, our innocent childish joy turns into irritation, sadness, lack of excitement, jealousy of others’ success, toxic judgments, and poisonous opinions. These feelings can result in pain that is hard to ignore, and which can be healed only if we choose to return to prioritizing our own dreams.
We are all born with special gifts, skills, and talents every single one of us. Each one of us has something important to contribute to this life. These talents are a “powerful and creative energy,” and they need to be expressed. If this energy becomes stagnant, it turns into a different kind of energy which manifests as pain.
Think about it this way. Imagine you have a gas stove that is attached to pipes, which constantly transport gas. If you don't spark the lighter to turn on the stove every day, the gas will leak. The gas represents your talents, ideas, skills, and potential, and the sparks are your initiatives, actions, passions, and enthusiasm. And the fire? That is YOU: unstoppable you.
Now, you know that if you don't take action to work on your ideas and dreams, the gas pressure will keep building and the pipes will keep leaking which results in pain. However, the pain is not the worst consequence of ignoring your dreams. The continuous gas leak could likely result in a huge explosion.
The best example of this situation is when women, after getting married and having children, completely put aside their dreams. Their focus is on children and family. They help others to make their own dreams into realities, while completely ignoring their own and the gas keeps accumulating. They convince themselves that their sacrifice is for a good cause, and all the while, nausea from the leaking gas becomes unbearable which causes irritation, self-pity, anger, sadness, blame, and eventually, a questioning of purpose. I know exactly what this feels like because I was that woman.
So, how do you avoid gas leaks, nausea, and explosion? Turn the stove on by consistently using your spark. Remember, you don't need huge sparks to create fire. There is so much gas in the pipes that one tiny spark can ignite a roaring fire. One small decision, initiative, or step toward your dream will clear the toxic air.
Here are 6 tips for igniting your spark:
1. Read a book. Search Amazon, and read one book that will move you a step closer to your dream. If you are still searching for your talent, a great book to start with is The War of Art ‒ Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, by Steven Pressfield. I am positive that this book will give you a better vision to be able to see your talent.
2. Take an online course. My favorite website for online courses of any kind, for beginners and experts alike, is Udemy.com. Each month they offer special deals, bringing the cost down to around $12.99 per course. If you don't know which course to start with, just start with public speaking. I am positive that you will find this course to be very handy, once your dream turns into a beautiful reality and you are continuously asked to share your story. Also, as I was going through the public speaking course (because my gas had built up so much that it exploded and I had to start somewhere), new ideas and new doors opened for me. You will never waste public speaking skills once you turn your fire on just ask Sara Blakely, the founder of SPANX.
3. Connect with a person or join a group. Find someone who works in, or has some experience in, the field of your dreams. If this person is someone you already know, that's great; however, you can also reach out to women on Linkedin. Remember, empowered women, empower others. A truly amazing woman knows that the best way to rise up is by helping others to rise. If you are exploring crafting or art, search for Etsy designs that are similar to your talents. Message the shop owner and ask her if she would be willing to share some tips on how to launch your idea. There are many groups and communities on Facebook and in Club House that can help you to get started on the next step of your dream.
4. Get a journal or a sketchbook. This is a great way to kickstart your creativity and let the ideas start pouring in. I have learned that the more I respect and follow up on my ideas, the more ideas begin to pour in. Also, if I don't write down my ideas when they first come into my head, they will evaporate: the next day, they’re gone. Therefore, acquiring a special notebook or journal to keep on hand at all times for the purpose of jotting down bright ideas is a great way to start your fire and keep it going!
5. Listen to podcasts and YouTube videos. One surefire way to get your fire going immediately is to watch what other people have already put out there. Results are instantaneous! You can literally start listening right now, as soon as you finish this article. I spend lots of time in the car while driving to my son’s practices and games, so I fill the time by listening to YouTube videos, podcasts, and ClubHouse episodes as my go-to dream enrichment.
6. Ultimately. the most important element for dream-launching is to simply recognize that the gas is leaking because your talents and skills which are supposed to be shared with the world are being stifled, and ignored. Your dreams are clues: they’re pointers toward those important gifts that are waiting to turn your dreams into your reality. We come with gifts both large and small. The small gifts don't necessarily create dreams, for example, being able to wiggle your ears. No one dreams about being the best “ear mover.” Those gifts are just for fun. However, when you have a dream, that means God has given you something special to share. He relies on you to use your gifts to make this world a better place. Those gifts are serious gifts. God had a beautiful vision of this world when He created you. You and your gifts, magnified by your dreams, are part of His Masterpiece. It hurts you when you ignore HIS Masterpiece.
Therefore, don’t let the fire of your dreams fizzle and die simply because you have become a parent, you have caregiving responsibilities, or you are too busy. Even if you have too many pots on the stove, you can still keep your “dream pot” simmering; just make sure the fire is on low and the contents are warm. The meal will be ready when the time is right for example, when the kids go to college, or when you finally find your dream job and the resources to get started. Don’t let your dreams become an unfinished meal.
When you utilize your sparks, you will never have a problem with gas leaks. Instead of gas, your house will be filled with love and joy. The clean, fresh air is good for you and even better for others around you. Therefore, your once-a-week, joyful knitting is so much more beneficial to the world than your every day, resentful laundry-folding for the whole family.
Your gifts and your dreams matter.
Tatiana Schloessman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tatiana Schloessman is the creator and CEO of MyReturn.Life in Los Angeles, California, and author of 555 Method. Born and raised in Slovakia, Tatiana has always been naturally driven toward success and inclined to overcome any challenge she’s faced. However, it wasn’t until the completion of her Master’s in Physical Education and Biology led her to the United States, that she realized her life had been missing a critical component: faith. Homeless, penniless, and speaking no English, Tatiana began to rebuild her life this time, with an open heart and open mind. She specifically teaches women to permanently break free from their unhealthy patterns, whatever they may be, and center their lives around a higher power
