Tribute to a true dream-maker

The universal laws of attraction never cease to amaze me. Today, I decided to focus on dreams and how we keep following them even when we are faced with obstacles. Personally, I had a bit of a wobbly this morning and became a little too consumed with the outcome of my goal rather than enjoying the process. And as much as I believe in the words I wrote in the previous blog, sometimes they are difficult to embody in real life.

Out of the blue, I received an email this afternoon (thanks Tam) about a friend from university, Kingsley Ward. Kingsley completed his training for the British army in 2008 and deployed for Afghanistan in 2009. One month before he was due to return from combat, he stood on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and as a result, lost both legs, his right arm and most of his left forearm.

One would have thought that this type of trauma would be enough to turn anyone from a fighter into a bed-ridden victim (goodness only knows I would have struggled to face every day if it was me). But Kingsley thought nothing of the sort. It was always his dream to be make his country proud and DAMN is he doing that! Not only does Kingsley partake in all sports on his prosthetic limbs, he has also managed to ski down some of the toughest slopes, swim in triathons and is currently trianing for Ironman next year.

I have a lump in my throat as I write this. I feel so weak and for almost giving up on my dream, when here is a young man whose life did a complete 360 in a matter of seconds, and still he gets up every day and lives his dream. I am humbled to the point of tears.

Kingsley Ward, thank you for reminding me of the sacrifices we have to make to follow our dreams - even if those sacrifices are something we never prepared for or even imagined. You have proved that anything can be accomplished if we continue to focus on the dream. You are a true hero.

For more information on Kingsley and his incredible accomplishments, have a look at the following:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/01/02/limbless-soldiers-take-to-the-ski-slopes-115875-22820623/

and

http://www.truespirit.org.uk/the%20team/wardkingsley.html

25 year old Kingsley, flying down the slopes in Colorado

Keeping your dream alive

Sometimes we just feel like giving up.

Even though our dreams might be grand and would make us happier than anything, the pressure of trying to attain them and the anxiety of having to wait for them to materialise is sometimes just unbearable. It seems as though we are stagnating or, even worse, moving backwards.

This is the time when most of us decide to just give up hope. I have actively thrown in the towel on a number of my dreams for fear of failure, lack of self-confidence or just plain exhaustion. However, after immersing myself in the autobiographies of the world's most successful people, I can boldly say: WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE THIS, DON'T GIVE UP!

Too often we let go of our dreams just as they are about to become a reality. When you feel as though the struggle is too much to bear, that is the EXACT moment when your dream is actually coming into being. Giving up will mean that you choose to let it slip through your fingers, even though it was right within your reach.

The greatest dreams are always followed by the biggest struggles. If they weren't, then the dream would not be a dream - it would simply be part of every day life. To set yourself a challenging goal is the most rewarding thing you can do for yourself, as you are openly affirming that you are capable of achieving the impossible.

Something we never stop to consider is the energetic shifts we make with one thought. What you don't realise is that if you have taken the time to think about your dream, to write it down and tell others about it, a process has been set in motion. This process is far beyond our imagination and is something that we will never see, but it is happening - every minute of every day. If you believe that your dream is important to you, then live it. Instead of thinking about how you aren't getting where you need to be fast enough, instead thank yourself for having the courage to dream big.

If you have set your intention, and you know in your heart that you are following your purpose, the mechanics of your dream will fall into place. You will never know how to make it all happen, but I can guarantee that if you stay focused on what you want and trust that you deserve it, everything you wish for will become real - when the time is right. For now, all you can do is stay determined and know that your dream is just around the corner.

Next time you wake up and feel like it's not worth it and you want to give up, ask yourself:

• How would this dream change my life?
• If I achieved this dream, how would I feel about myself?
• How could this dream help those I love?
• Why wouldn't I want to keep moving towards my dream?
• Are the obstacles I see really obstacles?
• Who can help me to get over these challenges?

And then close your eyes and see yourself making your dream happen. You will never want to part from it again! 

A sneak peek - The I Design book

I do not claim to be a guru of life, as I believe that everyone is the master of their own destiny.

In reading The I Design novel, I hope that every person is able to create a life that is right for them – whatever it may be. I do not preach the usual self-help tools and techniques, but rather I tell stories – about my life and the lives of others I have met in my profession as a life coach. These stories have taught me everything I know about life and love and I have used them to guide me towards conclusions. Throughout the book, I open up these opinions to the reader, encouraging them to form their own ideas of each element of life. That is what is most important to me – assisting others to design their life, their way.

No matter who you are or what you do, you long to wake up every morning knowing you are going to make a difference to those around you. You want to know that you are here for a reason and that you fulfil a purpose. But, for many of us, we are unsure of what that purpose is. Or, even worse, we know what it is, but we are too afraid to make it happen. Having the courage and confidence to control your life is the first step to attaining your goals and finding personal direction.

In order to get to a space where you have set your goals and are determined to make them happen, you need to conquer the fears that hold you back. Beliefs are the foundation of fear. If you have allowed the beliefs of your family, friends and society to rule you, you are bound to fail. But when you are ready to create new beliefs for yourself, success is inevitable.

Once your new beliefs are cemented, you have the personal power to attain your goals. So, the next step is to identify your short, medium and long term goals, ensuring that you only choose aspirations that truly reflect who you are.

To make these goals a reality, it is imperative to take the time for yourself. Taking time out allows you to focus on your goals and find ways to make them happen. Without these moments of personal space, your direction will be skewed, as you are the only one who can design the life you want. Consequently, your physical being becomes sick and plagued with illness as you refuse to give your body and mind the relaxation they deserve.

Often, physical ailments manifest as a result of emotional turmoil. By keeping your emotions to yourself, you end up poisoning your body. But, if you can learn to express yourself in real time, your body will be healthy and your relationships will soar. Self-expression is one of the most basic actions, yet so many people have no idea how to speak their truth. If you can identify your truth, you can speak it too.

Living your truth is the foundation for living a life of purpose, but you are guaranteed even more success if you learn to have fun while doing it. Spontaneous acts of kindness towards yourself and others is just one way to be playful with life. As Richard Branson says, ‘The minute I stop having fun, I stop doing it!’ And look at the good fortune he has attracted to himself!

Ultimately this book is not about preaching life philosophies. Instead, it provides readers with the opportunity to work through elements of life in order to find their own personal direction. Exercises, questionnaires and opinion polls allow every reader to create their own story and guide themselves towards personal transformation.

The I Design: How to live, laugh and let go

- out January 2012