This blog - "Prairie Dreams" is dedicated to the hopes, dreams, plans, wishes, desires that we all have within us - and how we can take those little seeds, plant them, nurture them, and make them grow.
But what about actual dreams - the types we drift into, where stories in bits and pieces - through odd twists and turns - come to us with little effort on our part. Do they have any meaning? Is our mind or spirit "speaking" to us?
This was the topic of conversation at our breakfast table this morning. It all started when my husband and I realized we had had exactly the same dream - within two days of each other. In the dream, we are in a house which we own, but we have forgotten we owned it, and it has been abandoned for years - yet full of the debris of previous owners. Although we describe the homes in the dreams as very different homes, in both cases we own the homes, we have forgotten about them, they are in disrepair, and we are trying to decide what to do with them.
So, what to make of it? I did a quick search of the Internet to see what dream interpreters would make of such things - not knowing if I believe in such a "science" or not. Homes apparently represent the dreamer - so, it seems they would say that both my husband and I have parts of ourselves we have forgotten and that have been neglected and are coming back to mind. Hmmm....
Do you believe in dreams? Do you ever act on them?
Jump in here!
Lisa
One of my challenges this year is to take more time out for friendship. I think the Internet is an absolutely wonderful way of locating old friends, renewing past friendships, staying in touch, and making new friends. But, one of the big dangers I have seen and experienced with "friendship via the Internet" is how easily it is to misinterpret what is said in print. What can appear to be a rather terse note might just be a few words written in a hurry. What can appear to lack compassion or connection might be the result of fatigue on the part of the writer. It is just so hard to tell!
Another danger, I have found is how people often distance themselves from their words when they send emails or texts. That is good when the writer needs the distance to get more in touch with how he or she is really feeling. However, it is not good when people feel free to share things they would never feel comfortable saying to someone in person. I can't tell you how many people I have talked to who have seen friendships dissolve through insensitive posts on Facebook or quickly dashed off emails.
I find myself often trying to clarify what I mean through those ever prevalent emoticons or through an explanation of my tone in brackets "(sarcasm)," or "(I'm smiling while I type this)". But often, that kind of spelling out of emotions breaks the flow of what I am saying - and often just seems silly.
What ways have you found to use the Internet to strengthen these ties - and not harm them? What have you experienced in staying in touch via the Internet?
Warmly, and in friendship :)
Lisa
I know it's coming and yet, somehow, I am always surprised and unprepared... snow? SNOW! This time, three-to-four inches of it, with drifts twice that depth.
When the first snow hits, it always reminds me of Christmas in Connecticut - that scene, when Bing Crosby and the two blond leads sing" Snow, snow, snow, snow, snoooow". Of course, they are all indoors looking out the window when they burst out into song. Somehow, I don't think they would have that same gusto if they were outside, with wind gusts of 40 miles an hour and a wind chill of minus 5 degrees, as we were last night when we came home to "snow".
But, just as I was getting caught up in my middle aged grumpiness about shoveling and salt and brrrr.... my dog caught the spirit of new fallen snow - she jumped out of the car and tore through the drifts, zigging and zagging as she went - snow crystals flying in the air as she "led" me up the drifted walk. As I slugged along, snow up to my knees as times, I couldn't help but laugh.
But, I didn't sing....
Lisa
...and yes, exercise is part of my plan!
Am I batting a 100% with my resolutions? No. But, I am moving forward on them, checking them off. For the first time in 27 years, my husband is participating in two of my goals with me: exercise and Bible study. And, it is nice to have a partner.
Speaking of having a partner, I have found that that is one of the secrets of achieving goals and of moving ahead with dreams. What are some other techniques that work for me?
I find that it is important for me to write down my goals, breaking them into achievable small pieces, and then scheduling the completion of each of those pieces. I have them in my task list in my IPad but I also write them down and check them off. Lastly, I review my goals for the next day each evening so I know what I want to accomplish for the day the moment I wake up.
This mild prairie winter certainly helps! It bolsters my mood and makes spring feel that much closer.
What do you do to achieve your goals? Jump in here and share! I'd love more tips!
Lisa
Friends -
Have you ever been ready for a new year? I mean sooooo ready? Emotionally, that is where I am. I am soooo ready to begin again - and grateful for the opportunity!
2011 was an amazingly wonderful year, as most years are. Highlights of the year include: the marriage of my daughter, my daughter's college graduation, turning 50 on Sanibel Island with my whole family there with me, starting college visits with my son, completing the Bible studies I had set out to finish, finding two new authors whose work I love, visiting college campuses with my son, breaking ground on a new community services building at work, attending a writers' workshop, starting new mission projects at church... I could go on and on.
Yet, there are times when I want to start again, reassess my goals, write new ones, and move ahead. What has really energized me this year is that for the first time in 27 years, my husband is excited about the new year and writing his list of goals. Maybe its catchy?
So here we go: what do I want to accomplish this year and what are my big dreams?
Here are the more routine resolutions - changes/ refinements to my daily routine:
1. On the heals of my 8 lbs loss last year, I want to reach my goal weight by losing 11 lbs. more.
2. I want to exercise at least 5 days each week.
3. I plan to study scripture at least 5 days each week.
My "midsized" goals are:
1. To redo my vegetable garden, trying new heirloom varieties of plants
2. To finish editing my book
3. To develop a new blog - and to do a better job of maintaining this one
My big dream goals are:
1. To find a publisher for my book
2. To launch my nonprofit dedicated to helping no kill shelters
3. To begin a new ministry
... and I am so excited! Big dreams are alive and well in this prairie!
How about you? Send me your goals - your big dreams. Write them down and pledge to achieve them in 2012!
