Dream Big, Dream Crazy

My new job as full time wife, mother and author has been a great blessing. At the same time it has been a big adjustment and learning experience as I’ve adjusted to going from having lots of help from employees to becoming a one woman show with the occasional help of a virtual assistant. But sometimes, you have to forge ahead alone when you have a goal. I experienced this on my journey with friends to reach the Cliffs of Moher in winter of 1988. In college I spent 6 month studying in Ireland and we were free to travel the country four days of the week.

On our trip to see the Cliffs of Moher, we hitchhiked from Dublin hitting many obstacles along the way to the remote town of Doolin. Our original plan was to reach Doolin by afternoon and walk up the Cliffs of Moher from there. But our journey took much longer than we expected.

The roads to Doolin were not heavily traveled. We walked for hours between cars passing. We finally learned that if we went to the local post office we could ride in the back of mail truck out to Doolin. It was a painfully slow trip, because we had to stop many times along the way to deliver the mail.

Finally, as the sun was threatening to set, we arrived in Doolin. We knew it was a 10 minute drive to the Cliffs, but we were on foot. My traveling partners were discouraged and exhausted, but I had set my mind on reaching the Cliffs. The wind was throwing its weight around and a terrible storm was coming. Our only option out of town was on the mail truck first thing in the morning the next day. It was clear that the only way to see the Cliffs that we had traveled so far to see was to start running that very moment towards the ocean.

My friends decided that the journey had wiped them out and they would skip seeing the Cliffs of Moher. I decided that I could not and would not give up on my quest to see them. I took off, running up the long hill, cutting across acres of land. As I ran through the fields I leapt over rock walls and attracted the attention of a local dog. He ran up enthusiastically beside me.

As the dog and I ran we attracted the attention of a lone sheep grazing in the field. Soon the dog, the sheep and I were racing towards the Cliffs of Moher, while a storm whipped the air around us. As I drew closer to the Cliffs, I could literally taste the ocean as the salt water blew hundreds of feet into the air and touched me.

I stopped at the top of the Cliffs to admire the view. I was surrounded by the greenest green grass that dramatically ended at the majestic cliffs, which dropped 700 feet into a raging storming ocean. The weather was threatening as I gazed upon the most satisfying, grandiose view of the rugged beauty of Ireland that I had ever had the privilege to see. The dog sat by my side while the sheep waited a few feet away. It was quite a sight to behold.

Alone, Me And My Reward
In that moment I knew that I was witnessing the raw beauty of an undisturbed vantage point that would resonate in my soul for a lifetime. In every direction I looked there was no other human being. I was completely alone with the wonders of creation. I sat there embracing the experience and writing poetry, eternally grateful that I did not give up on this moment.

Before darkness set in I walked back to town slowly, not wanting to leave the experience behind. I knew I would never be able to convey to my traveling companions what I had just witnessed. We had seen many glorious places, experienced unforgettable moments together, but nothing could ever compare to the experience I just had. I left the sheep in his field while the dog followed me back to town. The dog and I arrived wind-whipped, exhausted, and at the same time incredibly energized. I went to meet my friends at the local pub and had their world famous Guinness Stew.

Dream Big, Dream Crazy
There are times in life and business when you have to leave behind the nay-sayers to chase your dream alone. Not everyone will understand your dreams. Many will tell you to “get a real education” or “get a real job” so that you can become “successful.” Owning your business can be frightening, lonely and extremely hard work, but for those who dream of owning their own piece of the American dream there is no other path.

Dream big, dream crazy and give those dreams feet! Even if you arrive at your personal dream out of breathe, alone, and in the middle of a raging storm it will be worth every step of the journey. You will be able to look back over the journey for a lifetime, and be grateful for the experience and the rewards.

Yesterday I asked a young lady what her dream job was and she answered, “What you do. My dream is to be a full time stay at home wife, mother and author.” And I was in that moment deeply thankful for the journey it took to accomplish the dream I’m living.

Guinness Stew Recipe