Source: YouTube

We all want to be part of something great. We all want to dance like no one is watching.

It just takes one person to start a movement.

- I hate my birthday! she shouted from the back.

-Why do you hate your birthday Mathilda? I asked, looking into the rear view mirror.

- I hate my birthday because it’s in the summer, and every summer we go to the beach and I haaaaate the water. She said pouting.

I felt bad for her, we were on the way to the pool for a school outing.

- I understand.  I used to hate the water too. I replied with empathy. But one day, all of a sudden I started to love the water and now, Loik calls me water woman. Maybe it will happen to you too!

She didn’t get a chance to respond. We had just pulled into the parking lot, and Loik and the other boy were already racing to the main entrance…

All the kids jumped into the pool at once; arms waving, legs kicking; water splashing everywhere.  The once still waters came alive thanks to this unbounded energy. A cacophony of shouts and excited giggles bounced off the walls as the teacher tried to bring everyone to order.

Mathilda stood poolside, clutching her life vest. She was terrified. She started to cry and refused to put even one toe into the pool. My heart went out to her as I watched from the sidelines. One very pregnant teacher, Anita,  had decided to join us on our little pool expedition and I watched her as she encouraged the frightened 6 year old. I couldn’t make out what she was saying but I’ll never forget the kindness and warmth in her smile. Finally, Mathilda stepped into the pool. Anita patiently walked around in the water with the little girl hanging on to her for dear life.

My attention drifted away for a while as I looked at my son and his friends having fun in the deep end. I’m glad he’s never been afraid of the water – I thought.  At his age, I was more like Mathilda when it came to swimming.  I would choke up and panic as soon as I stopped touching the ground.

The afternoon went on and the kids were having a blast. I  scanned the pool for Mathilda.

Imagine my surprise when I saw her swimming towards me … in  a life vest, but by herself!

Mathilda!!! Wow!!! I stood and clapped. Anita was beaming as she swam close behind. Mathilda!!!! Bravo!!! Good for you!!! She came out of the water and came straight towards me her blue eyes sparkling with pride.

Did you see? Did you SEE? I can swim now. I love the water! Her smile light up the room. She turned, jumped into the water and swam away.

It’s not everyday we see someone overcome their fear. It was incredibly inspiring to see the pride and joy in her eyes as part of her realized she could overcome her fear and accomplish everything she sets her mind to. I hope she remembers this day for the rest of her life. I know I will.

A special thought goes out to Anita and to all the wonderful teachers out there who are on a mission to help us evolve into strong and confident people. You are truly angels on earth and I am grateful for your presence in our lives.

In an effort to overcome my own well documented fears, I’ve decided to start posting a few doodles. This is me dipping my big toe into the water so to speak.

So this first little doodle is being posted in honor of Mathilda a very brave little water woman.

If you’re looking for a sign that this is the time to let go of you fear, this is it! You can do it!

Sending bright beams of positive energy to you!

**all names have been changed to protect their right to privacy **

A few days ago, I was sitting at my desk staring blankly at my monitor. I spend so much time in front of this screen I sometimes wonder what my life has become since my son has started school. Was this the life I dreamed about?

My gaze shifted and I turned my attention to a crow perched on a branch… freedom, I thought.

I have been in a brain fog for the past few months. The daily grind has taken over : A mind numbing routine consisting of getting my son ready for school, home renovations, washing dishes, volunteering on every possible school committee you can imagine, washing laundry, folding laundry, trying to be productive at work, trying to make a difference in the world but feeling like an insignificant drop of water, feeling stressed, making dinner, playing games (yay!), bedtime stories (best part of my day), sleepless nights and starting over the next day.

I read other people’s blogs and marvel at how they have time to be creative everyday or how they are digital nomads and spend their life on the road discovering new exotic places and then I look at my life and I am bored to tears. I have become something I never thought I would be one day :  I am a dreamer. Used to be a doer. Now, I dream. When did this happen? How can I snap out of it?

I should get back to work, I thought.

It doesn’t help that I feel stuck in a never ending brainstorming session. The more time I spend online, the more I generate interest for new things and the more I lose my focus…  It’s a vicious cycle and I know that I’m not alone in this predicament. The experts call it continuous partial attention.

Distracted, I clicked on a video link suggested by someone on twitter… or was it reddit? I forget.

A frumpy middle aged woman stands on a stage in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. They mock her and snicker in the audience. No one takes her seriously. But she smiles sweetly and says her dream is to be a singer.  I love her for it and begin rooting for her even before she breathes a single note. She sings beautifully and the crowd goes wild. The judges stare at her in awe and disbelief. You can feel the passion in her voice. She owns the stage. All eyes are on her and she doesn’t falter. This is her moment to shine and she embraces it completely. She is living her dream and giving us hope that we too can live our dreams.  We can all feel it… an overwhelming mix of emotions including hope, faith, joy and inspiration.  She sings a song from Les Miserables and the powerful lyrics reach deep into my heart and bring tears to my eyes.

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted

Source: Fantine I dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables Lyrics found on St Lyrics.com

Dreams can come true, but you have to be prepared to make them come true.

Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes.  Or at least, we allow it to get in the way. It’s much easier to be a dreamer than a doer. It takes courage to face a crowd of critics and sing your heart out. It takes courage to be who you are and to stand in the spotlight. Susan Boyle did it, as did countless others before her, so we know it is doable. The big question is: do you have what it takes to stay focused and to believe in yourself? Can you overcome your fears and set aside your critics? Can I?

My only dream is to be an artist and to earn a living from my art. But I have faltered and failed because I avoid trying. I listen to the critics more than I listen to my own heart.  There are a ton of other things I am able to do to earn a living and I’ve done them all … but I’m always back here at square one trying to figure out how I could earn a living doing what I love the MOST. Instead, I should be DOING what I love the most. It’s time to let go of our residual fears and doubts. Time is of the essence.

More than 15 million people have watched Susan Boyle’s performance on Britain’s got talent. I’m hoping that a few million of us will follow Susan’s lead and take the necessary steps to live our dream. Susan proves that it’s never too late to try.

What are the dreams that you have made and used and wasted? What’s it going to take for you to take the plunge and create the life you want?

Watch Susan Boyle on Britain’s got talent - Via Youtube

Listen to her haunting rendition of Cry me a river from 99.

Inspiring!