How Badly Do You Want it?
From the time I was a child growing up in the islands, I craved the salt air. I was a decent surfer by the time I was 9 yrs old and snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, a quick bike ride from where I lived, was my happy place. When I was 14, I clearly remember standing on the shore and vowing to myself that I would do whatever I could to someday live on the ocean.
I never forgot that dream or that promise I made to myself. When I’d mention my dream, my family jokingly said I must be 1/2 mermaid. But I knew they were wrong… I was ALL mermaid. And I wanted that ocean.
Distractions and obligations blurred my vison.
Over the years there were times when other things took precedence over my dream and I’d get derailed and distracted. But never let go. I can still remember the exact moment I decided it was time I made it happen.
From that very second on, I zoomed in with tunnel vision. Everything I did, and I mean EVERYTHING had to be consistent with eventually reaching my goal. (Right down to how much money I’d spend to stop and buy a soda! Every penny counted.)
I literally started selling off everything I possibly could. By the time I listed my home for sale it was practically empty. I doubled up on art shows and worked like a crazy person. Then, in 2015, I decided that whatever small, little sliver of paradise I my money could buy, I would do it.
I did it.
While not in my beloved islands of Hawai’i, I now make my home on New Smyrna Beach, on the east coast of Florida. We live in a condo right on the beach and my studio is a space I was able to find directly across the street. (Manifested that one just right!) The location is perfect for me. I have quick airport access (Orlando or Daytona) to fly out to see my kids and grands who live all over the US. I can flip my tail… uh, I mean wiggle my toes… in the sand in the morning and be on a flight a few hours later..
My formula is not that complicated but for me, it works every time.
Here it is:
- Realistically, decide what you want. Then see it. Imagine yourself there… and do this often. It’s still how I start each day even to this day.
- Start immediately to only make choices that are 100% consistent with that dream. And I mean that literally. I constantly would ask myself how this choice would affect my journey to my goal. Sometimes it drove my husband nuts but I stuck to it.
- Keep tunnel vision until you achieve it. If you really want it that bad, never give up.
You just have to decide how bad you want it and then… make it happen.
You’re never too old to make your dream come true. Keep wishing, hoping and dreaming…but then, with all you’ve got MAKE them come true.
What is your dream? How bad do you want it? What are you willing to sacrifice to get it?
