What Makes Your Dreams Come True?

Key and 4 daisies
“What is the Key to Make Your Dreams Come True?” Thank you for this image S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay.

What Makes Your Dreams Come True? by Joan Y. Edwards

Recently, I talked with my daughter, Lorrie, my friend, Linda, and my grandson, Wyatt, about what it takes to make a dream come true and what causes a dream to remain unfulfilled, never accomplished, and never experienced.

Many people have dreams, goals, aims, hopes, desires, and wishes that come true; Why? Some don’t. Why not?

Let’s get personal here. Why do some of your dreams come true?

I believe everyone is unstoppable in some areas. What areas are unstoppable for you? Write them down. What makes you unstoppable? This is what helps make your dreams come true.

Reasons Why Some of Your Dreams Come True

Inner and Outer  Belief – Trust –  Determination – Action – Commitment – Abundance of what you need (Time, Money, Energy, Plans)  – Other Positive Forces

Reasons why some of your dreams might not come true is the inner and outer battle with negative forces and life events and experiences (loss of a loved one; loss of a  job; loss of personal health, loss of friend; loss of belief in yourself). What happens?

You lose energy and/or stamina to continue to reach goal.

Abandon goal, Stay in Place, No action, Loss, Disappointment, Guilt, Fear, Lack of Time, Money, Energy, Plans, Commitment, Resources, etc.

1. You lose faith in yourself. You stop believing you can achieve this goal. Someone or something stomped the spark out that fueled your belief.

2. You stop taking action that will lead you to your goal. You abandon your mission. You no longer take action to make your dream come true.

 Why did you stop taking action?
a. You no longer believe you can achieve the goal.
b. You no longer want to achieve the goal.
c. You lack the energy to achieve the goal.
d. You don’t know how to make it come true any more.
e. You lack the resources to achieve your goal.
f.  Your initial plan didn’t work and you don’t know how to get to your goal.
g.  You don’t trust yourself to make the right decisions to get you to your goal.
h. You are afraid of what will happen if you achieve your goal or if you don’t achieve your goal. Your fear overpowers your belief.
i. You feel you are not in control.

If you’ve stopped reaching for your goal, what can you do now?

Your hope is not gone. It is hidden. Revive and rekindle the love and ambition you had for your goal at an earlier time in your life.

If your goal needs to be tweaked a little or changed a lot, you are wise and will make the right decisions. You will create a new plan to reach your goal.

Be willing to try again. Be willing to learn new ways and new skills. Be willing to change. Be willing to look for solutions that excite you and that you believe will work.

Empower yourself. Look in the mirror. Say good things to yourself. Use my dictionary of positive words and influences below this article. Choose the words that peak your interest and seem to speak to you. Say I am capable, I can do this. I have an abundance of everything I need. I truly want to make this happen. I am dedicated to accomplish this goal. I also put negative words that might influence your goal achievements or stop you in your tracks.

Sad or Bad Past Life Experiences may be hampering your present experiences.  You may have a deep fear of doing that and not realize why. Have you put off taking a long trip that you’ve always said you wanted to take?

I think sometimes an earlier sad or bad experience on a former trip might make you afraid of doing it.

One summer after my first husband, Alvin, and I took a fun two week trip out west to see Yellowstone National Park and to visit with relatives who lived on the west coast. When we returned from our vacation, Alvin got fired from his job. We never did take long vacations after that. We visited family and places on the east coast, and that was it. We didn’t plan it that way.  We never talked about it.

           Sometimes you might take a trip and end up in the hospital which could make you afraid to take a trip. This happened to Carl, but we talked about it.  Talk about what you will do if this happens. If it’s happened to you, talking about it might help move the elephant out of the way.

It was a subconscious fear that took over. In writing screenplays and novels, they talk about subtext or the elephant that is in the room but you can’t see him. No one is talking about it, but it’s there. That’s what this subconscious fear is.

You might not realize you are afraid. However, you don’t take steps to make the trip happen. It becomes only an “empty dream.” One that you never take action to make happen because your underlying fears stop you in your tracks.

However, even the possibility of an “empty dream” ( A dream you never take action to accomplish) can remain a hope in your heart, a possibility.  Even, if you don’t act on it or it never comes true, it is that “hope” and “possibility” that may still keep you going  because you never realize that an “elephant fear” is stopping you.

What fuels achieving your dreams?

Belief
Cost: money, time, energy, plan, action
Control
Want it versus need it
Fear of unknown

Questions that come to your mind.
What if you don’t enjoy it?
What if you can’t control it?
Will your expectations come true?

FEARS

How do you fight fear?

Life throws you a curve ball with a loss in health, job, or financial, or other resources, what can you do?

Have faith that you will figure out new ways to continue to get new jobs. You will figure out how to still go places in spite of any health limitations.

You have fears. However, outweigh your fears with a fervent belief in the possibility of a goal. Fears can be  outweighed by your firm desire to get up and go. You have a strong faith that you will figure out a way to accomplish what you want to do in spite of any limitations of your health or your job. Your faith helps you fulfill your dreams. Faith overcomes fear.

Watch and listen to the words that you speak. They are powerful links to what you believe in your subconscious mind. Here’s a story to explain what I mean.

One day my late husband, Carl said, “I get sick every Christmas.”

Whoa! What a proclamation! I asked him, “Did you hear what you said? He looked at me and shook his head. You said, “I get sick every Christmas.”

I asked him if that was something he wanted to happen. He said, “No.”

So he changed his words to, “I am well every Christmas.”

Listen for words spouted from your mouth:

“I can’t…”
“I never get to…”
“I always …”
“I never get a break.”
“If it’s not one thing, it is another.”

Use these words instead:

I can do what others think is impossible.
Sometimes I get to…
I am safe.
I have an abundance of all I need.
I can find a solution that makes things better.

Write down three positive and three negative words that speak to you. Use these in writing the steps to reach your goals. If you know of an elephant that may be stopping you or causing you to “run in place,” write it down. Talk about it. Pray about it. Write a way to calm you so you go forward with a firm belief and enthusiasm for your goal.

Below I have put a dictionary of positive words and also negative words.

Remember above all to pray to God and be thankful for all that you have. I believe that God will help you achieve your dreams. He is the one who put them on your heart.

Dictionary for Achievers
– Most of these definitions come from Oxford Languages on Google or Merriam Webster

Positive Words that might help you get to your goals and make your dreams come true.

Abundance – plenty, enough for what you need and some left over to share.
Achievable – able to be  reached; able to make happen.
Action – the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.
Aim– have the intention of achieving; direct a course, aspire, intend
Amuse – make laugh, entertain
Attainable  – reachable,  achievable

Befriend  yourself – a practice of self-compassion and kindness to oneself.
Belief – trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something.
Believe – to accept something as true, genuine, or real ideals.

Confidence – Great faith in oneself.
Continue – persist in an activity or process.
Commitment – an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; emotionally impelled.
Compel – to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly

Dedication – self-sacrificing devotion and loyalty
Delight –  please greatly, charm, captivate.
Design – a plan.
Desire – a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.
Determination – firmness of purpose; resoluteness.
Deter – discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.
Dream – a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal.
Driven  – (of a person) relentlessly compelled by the need to accomplish a goal; very hard-working and ambitious.

Expectation – a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.

Fact – a thing that is known or proved to be true.
Faith – commitment of strong trust and confidence in something or someone.
Firm – strongly felt and unlikely to change.

Enjoy – take delight or pleasure in (an activity or occasion).
Entertain – provide (someone) with amusement or enjoyment.
Essential –  absolutely necessary; cannot happen without.
Expectation  – a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.
Essential – necessary, indispensable; unavoidable

Flinch –  make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear, pain, or surprise.

Goal –  the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.
Gut feeling – an instinctive feeling, as opposed to an opinion based on facts; a strong belief about someone or something that cannot completely be explained and does not have to be decided by reasoning.

Hang on – wait.
Hang in there – said as a way of telling someone to not give up, despite difficulties.
Help – to make it possible or easier for someone to do something, by doing part of the work yourself or by providing advice, money, support, etc.
Hold on – to make yourself continue to do what you are doing or stay where you are although it is difficult or unpleasant.
Hope – a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Impel – impart motion to; move to action
Inner voice  – Also referred to as “internal dialogue,” “the voice inside your head,” or an “inner voice,” your internal monologue is the result of certain brain mechanisms that cause you to “hear” yourself talk in your head without actually speaking and forming sounds.
inspiration  – the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative; spurred on to reach a goal.
Instruct – teach (someone) a subject or skill.
Intent – adjective: resolved or determined to do (something).

LastingAdjective. lasting, permanent, durable, stable mean enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established. lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely.

Necessity – is required or indispensable
Need  – a thing that is wanted or required.
Never give upto keep trying and never stop working for your goals.

Objective –  a thing aimed at or sought; a goal.
Opinion – a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
Optimistic  hopeful and confident about the future.

Passion – strong and barely controllable emotion of love or enthusiasm.
Persevere – continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.
Persist – continue firmly or obstinately in an opinion or a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure.
Persistent – continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure.
Plan   a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something; an intention or decision about what one is going to do.
Propel – drive forward
Promise (noun) – a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.
Promise  (verb) –  assure someone that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something; undertake or declare that something will happen.
Purpose – the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists; one’s intention or objective.

Reachable – able to be achieved.
Reality – the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.
Recharge – to make a new attack;  to regain energy or spirit;  to become charged again.
Relentless – constant; never giving up
Resolute -admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.
Result – a consequence, effect, or outcome of an action.
Reward – something offered or given for some service or attainment of a job or goal

Save – keep safe or rescue (someone or something) from harm or danger; keep and store up (something, especially money) for future use.
Statement – a definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing.; an official account of facts, views, or plans, especially  of someone.
Surprise – a welcome, unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing.

Trust –  rely upon; firm belief in the reliability, strength, or ability or strength of someone

Unstoppable – Unable to be stopped or prevented; impossible to stop or prevent.
Unflinching – not showing fear or hesitation in the face of danger or difficulty.
Unwavering – steady or resolute; not wavering.

Want – have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for.
Wish – feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that is not easily attainable; want something that cannot or probably will not happen

Negative Words that might hamper achieving a goal

Abandon – stop supporting; give up completely (a course of action,  a practice, or a way of thinking

Challenging – too difficult
Criticism –
the expression of disapproval  based on perceived thoughts or opinions; disapproval.

Dead End – an end of a road or passage from which no exit is possible.
Detour  – a long or roundabout route that is taken to avoid something or to visit somewhere along the way.
Disappointment – sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations.
Disbelief – doubt
Distrust – the feeling that someone or something cannot be relied upon
Doubt –  a feeling of uncertainty; disbelieve; fear

Excuse – a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense.

Give up – cease making an effort; resign oneself to failure.
Guilt – feelings of deserving blame especially for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy

Lack –  not enough; inadequate; deficient
Loss = he state or feeling of grief when deprived of someone or something of value

Negative self-talk – any inner dialogue that might limit your ability to believe in yourself and your own abilities to reach your potential. It is any thought that reduces you and your ability to make positive changes in your life or your confidence in your ability to do so.
No action – do nothing

Pessimistic – tending to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen.

Quit – end activity; stop; leave

Self-Sabotage – when you unintentionally destroy yourself physically, mentally, or emotionally or hinder your success and wellbeing by hindering the reach of personal goals and values.

Self-Reproach – harsh criticism or disapproval of oneself especially for wrongdoing.
Shock –  a sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience
Stop – cause an action, process, or event to come to an end; quit..

Unnecessary – not essential

Wavering – to vacillate irresolutely between choices : fluctuate in opinion, allegiance, or direction; hesitating in choice of opinions or course of action; undecide.
Wishy Washy – not able to make a clear decision

Please leave a comment. Let me know if any of my ideas help you. Share what helps you achieve your goals or what stops you in your tracks. Good luck in reaching your goals and dreams! May God bless you.

Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author

Books Available for purchase:
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Copyright © 2009-2022 Joan Y. Edwards

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Resources

Joan Y. Edwards. “Be Excited Each Day to Work on Your Goals:” https://www.joanyedwards.com/be-excited-each-day-to-work-on-your-goals/

Joan Y. Edwards. “Write Down Your Goals:” https://www.joanyedwards.com/write-down-your-goals/ 

Les Fee from a Fee Funeral Home in Alberta, Canada  says Write out your plan. Have a physical plan in front of you. Not only an idea in your mind, but also something tangible that you can hold in your hand or hang on the wall.

Les Fee also says, “Goal setting will allow you to challenge the negativity and move forward to positivity.”

 

 

 

 

14 thoughts on “What Makes Your Dreams Come True?”

  1. Your dictionary is so you, Joan! I read your post and smile. I appreciate your cheerleading as I fulfilled one goal (see the Canadian Rockies) and am working on others (books!). You are a good friend.

    1. Dear Carol,
      Thanks for writing. I am glad my dictionary made you smile! Thank you for saying it is so ME! That made me smile. Perhaps if you get off course, you can scroll down my dictionary for achievers and find an inspiring word! Your compliment saying I am a good friend is the ultimate compliment anyone could give me. Thank you.

      Love, Joan

    1. Dear Carla,
      Thank you for writing! It is so good to hear from you. I am so glad that you love my pist about reaching your goals. I would absolutely love getting together. I will call you.

      Love you,
      Joan

  2. Hi Joan,

    I remember being sat with my ex, saying why is everyone else having holidays and we don’t. So, we went through monthly expenditure. There it was staring us in the face, we both smoked. We each had our own habit, the longer I worked the more I smoked.
    I said okay, lets pack it in and tell the kids we’re going on holiday to with the money saved, and the one who starts smoking again, can be the one to tell the kids we’re not going.
    It wasn’t easy but with determination and focus on a Spanish Island holiday was the driving force.
    We did it and he had a wonderful holiday in Majorca, where the kids really enjoyed their first of many holidays.
    Sometimes you may have a dream but need an incentive to make it come true. But what you must have, is will-power to achieve it.
    I am still a non-smoker after some 35 years; I think healthier and certainly more money in my pocket.
    Sometimes you can’t make the goal too big, by doing so it becomes unachievable. There is a saying, ‘You can’t eat an elephant in one sitting, you have to take small chunks.’
    Make your dream whatever it is, easier by saying to yourself (if it’s smoking, alcoholism or some other goal.) I don’t need a cigarette for five minutes or a drink, then another five then an hour then two hours and so on until it becomes days and weeks then months. But you must want to have it, you must be determined to win.
    I didn’t know for instance that the actor Tom Cruise was dyslexic as a child. But he fought it, he wanted to be an actor and worked at being able read scripts and gain pilot’s licenses. He had a goal and worked at it and is what he is today because of his determination. He used the Scientology and was helped by them and now helps others in similar situations. (That was his goal) Whether you believe in his beliefs is another matter, but he had that goal.
    If you want it go for it.

    Dave

    1. Dear David,
      Thank you very much for writing. I appreciate your story of how you and your wife thought through your negative statement of “We never have a holiday,” to figure out that if you stopped smoking you could use that money to go on a great holiday. I love how you anchored a success thing in there by saying the one that smoked would have to tell the children that you were not going on holiday! Awesome!
      You are right. It is good to make your goals in small steps or chunks. Love your elephant quote.
      May all your dreams come true.
      Love and hugs to you and Anna,
      Never Give Up
      Joan

  3. Thank you Joan for an excellent post. I could see myself in a lot of what you said, especially when it comes to publishing my books. Fear takes over sometimes and I have to calm myself before I can follow through to the end. I appreciate the dictionary of positive and negative words!

    1. Dear Gretchen,
      Thank you for writing. Thanks for saying it was an excellent post. I am smiling. I am glad that you could see yourself in a lot of what I said. Fear sometimes hides in my excuses and reasons. It’s a human thing. I’m glad you liked my dictionary of positive and negative words. Sometimes a different word will change our focus and give us the enthusiasm and strength to offset the negative that is stopping us in our tracks. Good luck in all your endeavors.

      Love you,
      Never Give Up
      Joan

    1. Dear Melanie,
      Thank you very much for writing. I am glad that you believe my post was brilliant. You made me smile. I love being your cheerleader. I am glad that my being there helps pick you up when you are down. You amaze me with your many skills!

      I love you,
      Never Give Up
      Joan

  4. Your post will inspire people. Thanks for sharing it. I found that God allowed me to have only 7 bad days a year, and today is not one of them. I always had goals. I always worked with a team. The team may have been 2 or several people or spiritual beings. The team effort keeps you focused on the goal. Don’t be afraid to use all the resources available. God Bless You.

    1. Dear Tom,
      Thank you for writing. I appreciate your believing my post will inspire many people. I do hope it helps. That is a good point that having a team of people working on the dame goals, helps you stay on target. The members inspire each other.

      Love to you and Laury,
      Never Give Up
      Joan

  5. Joan, I don’t remember the medication being advertised, but it is to help prevent strokes. The person in your head seemed almost paralyzed about rounding a corner for fear she could have another stroke.

    This post has made me realize that two bad health experiences when away on trips probably had a lot to do with a loved one never taking another long trip away again. I remembered one such experience but had forgotten about the second one. Makes more sense to me now. But as I told you earlier, at least he still dreamed of long trips away and dreamed of me traveling with him. And as a wise woman once told me, we’ve got to have a dream. I don’t want to let negative experiences stop me from planning future events. This is a good learning post. Thanks for all this helpful information!

    1. Dear Linda,
      Thank you for writing. I am glad that my words and stories in this post have helped you understand your loved ones fears based on negative past experiences of sickness. When something happens twice, your brain wants to tell you, “It’s going to happen again.” If it doesn’t bubble up where you know this is going on in your subconscious mind, it remains an elephant blocking the door to future plans. My thinking on that possibility. It is in understanding others and ourselves that we are able to love more fully! I hope you continue to strive to keep going forward and love doing things and trying things even when you are afraid.

      Enjoy being you.
      I love you.
      Never Give Up
      Joan

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