Written by Karen D. Swim

Do you have a dream graveyard? Tombstones planted in the backyard of your life that trumpet the life and death of long forgotten hopes, goals and plans. Birthed with possibility, shining bright with a vision, they now lie silent in a land of dry bones.

“It whispers; all is waiting here

Kept safe for thee, year after year,

Beautiful songs in thousands;

Where hast thou been, where, where?”–Erik Axel Karlfeldt

There are many reasons we allow dreams to die – impatience, lack of know how, fear, doubt or perhaps timing. The good news is that you can resurrect the dead. I took an eye-opening  trip through my own graveyard recently. There were dreams that were mere fancies of imagination, lacking the passion needed to sustain them. Yet, there were others which made me linger at the tombstone, desperately trying to recall why I had not taken life-saving measures. Even from the grave, they called out to me, causing a swift intake of breath as I was filled with the possibility of a second chance.

“The inability to open up to hope is what blocks trust, and blocked trust is the reason for blighted dreams.” –Elizabeth Gilbert

In this place, as I came face to face with death, life was renewed. I could shed the things that did not fulfill my life and my purpose. With a clearer vision I could also wisely choose the dreams that had never really died but simply rested in peace until it was time.

How about you – any dreams that deserve a second chance?