Dreamscape Jewelry Design

November 3, 2024: It’s Never Too Late to Follow A Dream

Upon returning to our home in New Hampshire this past week, I headed back to our local health club, where I swim three days a week. This time of year, the water at our camp in Maine is frigid, so I had actually not been swimming for two months. I knew if I procrastinated any longer, it would be even harder to get back in the routine and also reminded myself how good I feel afterwards. I also recognized that it would take me a while to get back the endurance and strength for longer swims, so decided just to set a goal with a minimum amount of laps. I slipped into the water, took my time and was pleased to manage 1/2 mile, which is 36 lengths across the pool.

“You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.” 

C.S. Lewis

At the end of the swim, i was stretching out when a woman in the lane next to me, exclaimed, “I just have to share something, I”m so excited!” I looked over and met for the first time a woman named Judy. She was thrilled, because for the first time, at the age of 79, she had swum all the way across the pool. It was only one length, but for her, the fact that she actually could swim was a life changing accomplishment. She had started swimming lessons only the month before, and shared how before that, she couldn’t even put her face in the water. Judy had always wanted to learn to swim, and finally put her dream into action. She couldn’t wait to tell her children and grandchildren. Her goal was one length across the pool and her determination kept her from being intimidated by the other proficient swimmers who as she described it, “seemed to be effortlessly” traversing the lanes.

“To define your life is to delight in your dreams.” 

Lailah Gifty Akita

At a local Art gallery, where I have photography and watercolors on display, I had the pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with a gifted artist named Jim Luckern. https://luckernfinearts.com JIm was recognized for his artistic talent as a high schooler, but after high school, the demands of life prevented him from pursuing a career in the arts. He spent the next four decades working in the local Ironworks. Upon retiring, the multi-talented Jim now has time to create his incredibly intricate drawings, paintings and sculptures. He gives back to the community by teaching art to inner city kids and is looking forward to his role as Santa in upcoming holiday celebrations.

“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”

 Earl Nightingale

My husband Ron, a.k.a Silversmith Ron, is a late blooming jewelry artist. If you ask him, he’ll tell you “that if you had told him ten years ago, he would be creating beautiful and unique jewelry pieces, he would have never believed it.” A dear friend and accomplished Silversmith gave him a few lessons, encouraged him to keep going which gave him the initiative to keep creating. After practice and time, falures and successes, when you compare his initial pieces with what he creates now, you can see the remarkable growth of his ability and innate talent. https://dreamscapejewelry.com/silverstone-collection/

“The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.” 

Michelle Obama

Following a dream takes action, effort and time. A long time dream of mine had been to paint with watercolors. Pursuing that dream involved making investments in lessons and materials. I also recognized that to get better at painting, I had to make the time to practice. Carving out time in a busy life can be a challenge, but like with any goal, we have to take the steps to accomplish it and those steps take time. Also like Judy with other swimmers, I had to remind myself that the watercolor artists I admired, had been painting for many years, and to not be intimidated by unnecessary comparisons. Each time I paint now, I can see that there is growth, which in turn, encourages me to keep going on this path.

We all have aspirations and dreams and also a limited time on this earth to pursue them. If we don’t take the initial steps, they won’t be brought to life. Like Judy, where her simple act of courage of taking a lesson and putting her face in the water for the first time, she accomplished her dream of actually swimming.

What dream do you hold close to your heart? What steps can you take to begin your own path to fruition?

Here are some quotes that have inspired me and hopefully will encourage you on your path of dreams.

Inspirational Quotes

“Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.” 

Steve Maraboli

“Life is a song—sing it. Life is a game—play it. Life is a challenge—meet it. Life is a dream—realize it. Life is a sacrifice—offer it. Life is love—enjoy it.” 

Sai Baba

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” 

Rabindranath Tagore

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

 Mark Twain

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” 

Harriet Tubman

“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”

 Roy T. Bennett

“If you have dreams you want to pursue, the time is now. There is no perfect time, and there is no better time. There is only the time you lose while you’re making excuses.” 

Holly Lisle

“Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.” 

Shonda Rhimes

“It’s only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth—and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up—that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.” 

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” 

Henry David Thoreau

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy life to read this post. Please feel free to share your thoughts and quotes that inspire you here or with others who might find it meaningful.

Best regards,

Wendy Oellers-Fulmer