Where Do Dreams Come True?

Where do dreams come true? 

by, Diana B. Thompson

I recently had a chance to share the story of CinderSilly with a woman who grew up and traveled extensively outside the United States.  She told me, “the idea of dreams coming true is a uniquely American concept.” I imagined it was a Disney invention.

Of course we want our children (as well as ourselves) to have fantastic dreams and reach for glorious goals.  But, there is a delicate line to be drawn.  This concept could suggest that little or no effort is involved.  It could insinuate that ‘dreams coming true’ means every wish is granted.  A lottery is won. A child might imagine that all dreams should come true.  If they don’t, something is terribly wrong.  We don’t have to look far beyond Christmas morning to imagine such a scenario.

We would be better off to talk about specific dreams with our children in the form of very tangible goals and desires.  Instead of waiting for fate to fulfill our wants, what can we do to achieve them? Worthwhile dreams can always be saved for another day.  Life is a journey – of inventing dreams, then working towards them, and adapting if they don’t happen the way we imagine.


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