By Gail Lynne Goodwin.
Sometimes I think I’m a gypsy. I’ve lived in 10 states over the last 30 years, and when opportunity knocks, I walk through the door, no matter where it might happen to lead.
I’m currently living in New York City for 6 weeks, helping a friend with a project that I believe will change the world. (More details about that later….)
Yesterday I met a man named Tom, who, coincidentally, was raised in the same small town in Pennsylvania where I grew up. When he heard that I live in Montana, he went crazy. For the past 35 years, his dream has been to move to the West. When he talked about the possibility, his entire being lit up like a Christmas tree; he became animated and excited. He’s had this dream for 35 years, yet hasn’t done anything about it.
When I asked him why he hasn’t moved yet, he shared, “My wife would never leave Pennsylvania”. He went on to tell me that she has lots of reasons why she’ll never move west. I asked him if he’s ever asked her the question, “What would it take to say ‘Yes’?”. It was as if a light bulb had just turned on inside of him. He smiled and told me that he was looking forward to talking with his wife the next day when he returned home.
Having this conversation with Tom made me think not only of how many times I don’t ask this question of others, but more importantly, of myself. What would it take for me to take the next step to reach the dream that I’ve been holding inside for years? What would it take to say “YES” in all ways to fully living life? What would it take to say “YES” to things that we think are impossible?
Look at your life right now and think about your #1 dream that you want to achieve. Why are you putting it on hold? What are you waiting for? What is it that needs to happen before you say, “Today is the day that I’m going to do something to make my dream a reality.” Wouldn’t today would be a great day to say “YES”? What would it take for you to say “YES!”???
Right now I can imagine Tom talking with his wife… but this time, he’s going to invite her to dream a little with him… and who knows what can happen when we open our minds and our hearts to dreaming. Just by asking ourselves, “What would it take to say ‘YES’?”, doors open.
Something tells me we’re going to get some new neighbors in Montana pretty soon.
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Gail: I really like this approach to chasing dreams. Many of us get caught up in expecting a “No” more than in pursuing a “Yes!” I grabbed the “Yes” in terms of migrating about as often as you did. I’ve lived in seven states in the past 35 years — two of those states twice and another three times. Plus, my wife and I plan to move from Austin, Texas, to California in about nice months. We love an adventure! I’ve found, too, that when you find the strength to pursue dreams in one realm of your life that will help you pursue other dreams, too. Thanks for your post!
Hi Gail,
Yes, a very powerful story and one filled with a topic I come across often in my career. People focus on the can’ts, the don’ts – the nevers. All of the negative things that hold them back. So, I invite them to ask themselves, “If they DON’T want that, what would they rather have instead?” Much like what you asked: “What would it take to say yes?”
This rephrasing puts your mind back into the positive, actually lifts the chin and opens up the imagination – the dreaming of possibility. No longer are you dwelling in the well of limiting doubt. Instead, you are soaring toward imaginative solutions.
Thank you for your website, Gail. I read the inspirations every morning and always see something new. This one caught my attention, as I am a strong proponent of re-framing negative thoughts into positive dreams.