2012... What do you dream?

1st January again. It's comes around fast doesn't it? For many of us, this day allows us the chance to look back over the previous year and think about what we might do better or bigger in the coming months. We all start with great intentions but by mid February, many of our little plans and ideas are but a distant memory. Is it because we aren't dedicated people? or is it simply because sometimes we just focus on the wrong things like ridiculously limited 'healthy' diets and impossible exercise plans instead of taking a little extra time to go for the bigger stuff.

Many people are afraid to dream about and go after the bigger stuff incase they fail and don't get what they want so their true desires are stuffed in the proverbial drawer in the back of their mind. From time to time, these dreams will pop up in the form of regrets but most of the time they'll just be suppressed because let's face it "what's the use in trying?". So for some unfortunate dreams, they will never fulfil their destiny, nor will they even be given a shot at trying.

"If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place" - Nora Roberts

Now let's look at the flipside... What if you actually get what you want? What if; even though it may not be exactly what you planned; you still discover something amazing? Isn't it worth a shot at least?

So I say again, 2012... What do you dream?

A new reason to climb...

On the 7th August, I took a 3 hour start up climbing course at Edinburgh Indoor Climbing Arena (i.e Ratho) as a way to build strength, stamina and confidence in climbing and to help me toward my goals and also because I always wanted to do it. I had a great time and decided that I wanted to pursue it further and so I began to take baby steps towards achieving some routes.
Then on August 25th, my worst nightmare came true... my closest friend, my best friend, my rock, my mum, passed away and it would have been so easy to just give up but I promised her; in her last moments; that I would never give up on trying to achieve my dreams and that I would take her with me everywhere and I intend to do just that. Because as she told me once; not so long ago; she was proud of me for having the courage to follow my dreams and I was proud that she was my mum.

So Mum, I will continue to climb and chase my dreams because; just as I promised and just as e.e Cummings wrote

"I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart"

Powerful words

Regret... now that is a powerful word and most people will have one or maybe even two. Why then do they allow themselves to have this feeling? Is it because deep down they are actually too scared to try and live their dreams? Maybe instead of giving in to fears, whether small or mighty, maybe they should remember these very wise words:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover" ~ Mark Twain

Action is relatively easy, all it takes is a simple little thing, something that wont cost you anything, it wont harm you in any way. All it will do is make you think and the rest is up to you. All you do is start by making a small promise to yourself. This is how it goes:

"I will not allow my dreams to be over shadowed by my fears!" ~ SMcClory

A few words can change a life, why not yours?