What would it take to give yourself permission to live your dream?
As we all know, sometimes life can bop you upside the head and give you an unexpected wake-up call. Apparently I have a very hard head because it’s seemed to happen every six months over the last few years. So finally, after my father passed at the end of February and COVID hit in early March, I got the message.
Don’t wait to live your dreams.
So we started making plans. We started taking action. We created lists and, one step at a time, we’re getting closer to making our dream come true.
We’re moving to Costa Rica!
I’ve wanted to live in another culture and proficiently speak another language my entire life. I hunger to see through a new lens and discover what the world has to teach me about becoming more human.
The timing was never right. There were always jobs and responsibilities that anchored me where I was, so eventually, I set my dream aside. Someday…
But what big painful life events teach us is that someday is not guaranteed.
So the work to be done was not in giving up the jobs and the responsibilities, it was to transplant them. To open our minds to the possibility of another way of living. To solve the problems that came up one at a time.
Where could we live that would allow us to have access to the work we’re here to do? What would we need, to make that happen? How would we handle schools? What has to be done?
So now it’s getting real! My little family of three is filled with excited anticipation that’s only slightly tempered by the sheer overwhelm of the things on our to-do lists. Things to fix. Things to sort. Things to sell. Things to store. Things to prepare. Things to set-up. So many things to do!
But in the process of all this doing, we feel fully alive.
Maybe that’s one of the lessons to be learned here. At least for me. That the adventure on the outset might seem to be moving to another culture, but the true journey lies in putting ourselves in motion to make our dreams come true.
Who might we become in the process of growing into our dreams?
So you’ll get to watch this experience unfold from your front row seat in my life! You’ll get to watch us climb the mountains of our dreams and repel into the valley of our new world.
We have no idea what’s in store for us. I suspect this will challenge us in ways we’ve never experienced. But that’s the goal.
“…to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.”
What is your dream? Maybe it’s not as outlandish and impossible as you think it might be. It’s amazing what we can do when we set our minds to realizing the pursuits of our hearts. To do the big things that set our souls on fire and to taking the small actions every day to bring them to fruition.
We are more brave than we even know.
You are worthy of your dreams. Keep them alive! Let them pull you in the direction of the person you can become.
©A Thoughtful Company, LLC
I will be right there beside you, Kimberly, with all my best wishes.
I don’t know if wanderlust applies to your family – some generations back it must have given you are in USA – but I just wanted to share this old piece to steer your thoughts towards what might have created your dream: https://usdkexpats.org/20140709-where-does-it-come.
Ooooh! You’ve piqued my curiosity, Charlotte! I’m looking forward to reading this, this morning. Neither of my parents seemed to have any pull to live in another country, but I have most of my life. We’ll see if my son develops the same hunger to travel…
As always Kimberly, I love your stories. Waiting for the perfect time or for the stars to align or for that magical someday is what keeps so many of us in a rut, wishing but not acting. I checked the calendar and there is no day called someday. Pick up the pieces and start moving forward. Stop worrying about how am I going to do this and start doing it – whatever it is for you.
Lewis Carroll wrote: “IN THE END… We only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.”
I just got goosebumps, Frank! Yes, there is no “someday on the calendar”…. Thank you for this!
Lol! I just wanted to say as well, someday is not a day of the week! Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing! I took the leap of faith once and discovered it had nothing to do with moving to another country, but with daring to move forward within me. To the unknown. I can honestly say it completely changed my so-called-personality. It truly enriches you as a soul. I am wishing you so much fun along the way!
Thank you so much, Eyra! I suspect it’s going to be life-changing!
Good luck and good for you!! <3 I can't wait to follow your journey.
Thank you, JoAnna! I can’t wait as well! LOL! Given that I have no idea what’s in store for us, this will certainly be an adventure!
This is so flippin’ exciting, Kimberly! I have only heard good things about Costa Rica. I’ve never been, but it’s on my list!
I used to jokingly refer to myself as a “brick-upside-the-head” person. It used to take me a long time to catch the hints and clues life was sending me. But a few years ago I did take a leap into the unknown. It was so unlike me, but I had finally reached a point where there was no choice. The Anais Nin quote comes to mind: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
I can’t wait to see what’s next for you! 🙂
Well now you’ll have a friend there, so when you get to it on your list, I’ll be waiting to give you a big hug, Carol!
I love this Kimberly! And, Sooooooo happy for ya! “Don’t wait to live your dreams” in action!!!!
Thank you so much, Paul! I kind of feel like I’m talking about someone else’s life! LOL!
Thank you, Dennis! I appreciate you, friend!
A bold, brave & exciting move, Kimberly – and to a destination I came very close to choosing myself some time ago… Congrats!
Now you’ll just have to come visit, Dennis!
Will be on your doorstep before you know it!