To Snag a Dream: Fishing in the Cosmic Soup
We hear it over and over again, some variation of the statement that you can achieve whatever you can conceive and believe. In fact, we hear it so often that we dismiss it without giving it any thought, imagining we already 'know' it. But do we?
Sometimes readers send me letters sharing pieces of their dreams: To play a piece of music beautifully; to build a successful business; to find a career that will let them use unexpressed talents; to create a secure retirement; to have a more loving relationship with their parents or partner; to sell their house.
Some share their dreams with enthusiasm and excitement. And some share them with tears riding on the little electrons that carry their words, charging them with doubt and near-despair.
But regardless of where you are in relation to your dream, the formula for making it your living reality is the same: Believe in it as your emerging reality, regardless of any appearance to the contrary, and let it guide your actions.
How do you believe? Decide to!
Believing is what makes the possible probable. Your dream is like a fish--a possibility fish--swimming in what Deepak Chopra calls "the cosmic soup," the infinite ocean where all possibilities swim. Just by identifying it, you have already hooked it. Believing in it is the line that lets you reel it in to your reality. Give up believing and you cut the line.
Now catching a great, strong fish is not exactly child's play. Storms can blow up. The boat you're standing in might spring a leak. You have to be determined to hang on to that line no matter what. When the wind and the tides are against you, just keep thinking how beautiful your fish is, how triumphant you'll feel when you land him. And hang on.
The fish itself is going to test you, too, to see if you are worthy of him. He'll leap into view to show you the color of his shining scales, then dive out of sight and pull on your line with all his might to see if you're serious about wanting him. Hang on.
Sometimes your line will go slack, and you won't feel the fish at all. You'll wonder if you lost him. But don't let go. Watch the sea around you; he may be gliding right within reach. Stay alert, and hang on.
Let the fish show you what to do. Let your actions be inspired by him, and in response to what he asks of you. Let it be sport; let it be a dance. Just keep your focus and hang on.
If you do but that, the moment will come when you scoop that living, wriggling dream right into your boat.
Until then, good fishing. And remember these words from Jack MacKinnon: "Fishermen don't yield to the weather."
Sometimes readers send me letters sharing pieces of their dreams: To play a piece of music beautifully; to build a successful business; to find a career that will let them use unexpressed talents; to create a secure retirement; to have a more loving relationship with their parents or partner; to sell their house.
Some share their dreams with enthusiasm and excitement. And some share them with tears riding on the little electrons that carry their words, charging them with doubt and near-despair.
But regardless of where you are in relation to your dream, the formula for making it your living reality is the same: Believe in it as your emerging reality, regardless of any appearance to the contrary, and let it guide your actions.
How do you believe? Decide to!
Believing is what makes the possible probable. Your dream is like a fish--a possibility fish--swimming in what Deepak Chopra calls "the cosmic soup," the infinite ocean where all possibilities swim. Just by identifying it, you have already hooked it. Believing in it is the line that lets you reel it in to your reality. Give up believing and you cut the line.
Now catching a great, strong fish is not exactly child's play. Storms can blow up. The boat you're standing in might spring a leak. You have to be determined to hang on to that line no matter what. When the wind and the tides are against you, just keep thinking how beautiful your fish is, how triumphant you'll feel when you land him. And hang on.
The fish itself is going to test you, too, to see if you are worthy of him. He'll leap into view to show you the color of his shining scales, then dive out of sight and pull on your line with all his might to see if you're serious about wanting him. Hang on.
Sometimes your line will go slack, and you won't feel the fish at all. You'll wonder if you lost him. But don't let go. Watch the sea around you; he may be gliding right within reach. Stay alert, and hang on.
Let the fish show you what to do. Let your actions be inspired by him, and in response to what he asks of you. Let it be sport; let it be a dance. Just keep your focus and hang on.
If you do but that, the moment will come when you scoop that living, wriggling dream right into your boat.
Until then, good fishing. And remember these words from Jack MacKinnon: "Fishermen don't yield to the weather."
