Dreams – Serene Pathways

“Change is one of the most challenging things in our life, yet it must occur over and over and over again in order for us to grow.” – Linda Lunsted

Let’s take this simple, yet complicated blog. I had (and still have) grand ideas about writing weekly. However, much to my liking, it has been several weeks since my first post.

For me change comes with repetition. Any good or bad behavior is created through its continual practice. A practice that creates an automatic response that seeps slowly and deeply into our psyche; where it often surprises us. We need grand dreams as they spur us on and give us life. However, we must create a safety zone within our internal dialog that says it’s okay to miss the mark. We need to give ourselves permission to fail.

I recently found a plaque that states “Growth demands a temporary surrender of security – Gail Sheehy.” Ouch, in order to grow or change we must be willing to reach deep within, past our comfort zone and expose our vulnerability. If we do not create a safety zone, shame will live there. Shame will then multiply and become the culprit of fear, immobility, procrastination, and a continual downward spiral into the depths of the “I can’t succeed,” or “I’m not good enough” abyss. We all go there! Some go more frequently then others. We must be willing to become vulnerable enough to risk failure and imperfection; it is through the acceptance of failure and imperfection that we become whole.

What are you needing to change in your life today ? Do you have a safety zone? Envision the statement “You have permission to fail!” Place it inside your thoughts, your soul and your being. Create a safety zone around it, allowing no one to step inside of that zone, including yourself. See it there, practice it, feel it. Allow it to create a new imprint.

As for me, I am not sure when I will add to this blog or create another post. However, I am creating my safety zone, at least at this moment. When I miss my mark, I will acknowledge my disappointment, envision my safety zone and try again. So can you!

The path to your dreams doesn’t start with a complete plan. Dreams start with one little step. At times your dreams may seem unreachable. The path becomes cloudy and loses its visibility. The bend in the path can become scary, instead of exciting and alluring. All you begin to see are barriers filled with doubt and fear. You feel overwhelmed and intimidated. Don’t give in! Instead, find something that you can do in the moment of the day to support that dream.

When an artist creates a piece of art, it is the intricate continual movement of the chisel, the pen, the brush, the music note or the voice that creates the masterpiece.

Today, at this moment, I am taking a little step toward one of my dreams. I am writing this blog. A few weeks ago I signed up on wordpress.com, another step. Over the years I have taken many little steps in the direction of this dream and other dreams. I took steps that I didn’t even realize I took. If a dream lives within you, it will express itself. It will guide you, even if we are unaware of those steps.

Hi, my name is Linda Lunsted and I am a Licensed Masters in Social Work. I am currently in Private Practice as a Mental Health Therapist. Private Practice is another one of those dreams that began with one little step. I never gave up even when things were cloudy or seemed unreachable. I took one little step, then another, and another.

What is your dream? What is your Masterpiece? What is one little thing that you can do today or this week? It may be just as simple as resting quietly, writing an idea on paper, enrolling in a class, or talking to a friend or mentor. Start in one little corner of your dream. Begin today, you wont regret it! If you look closely you many find that you are already taking those little steps, you just haven’t been paying attention.