I have embarked on a few various dreams in my life. Thinking back on them now, I see a common thread. When I get past the initial preparation phase and start actually doing the dream, I am always surprised at what a shitshow it turns out to be. Now I’m not talking about results so much as just all the headaches that come with the day-to-day outworking of the dream. Whether it’s financial, relational, or practical, or even all of the above, living out our dreams gets messy and annoying. We live for the days when little successes come our way, or when responses to our work are favorable, but what about living for the shitshow? Not so compelling. However, when I look back, surprisingly the times I relish most are those when I actually found ways to show up, embrace, and conquer (or not) the mountains that stood in my way. We live in a messy, messy world. I am certain someone tried to tell my younger self that it would be more blood, sweat, and tears than walks on the beach. As I get a little older, I am realizing that when life is a shitshow, sometimes the best response is to pour another cup of coffee, take a seat, and say, “Ok I’m here for it.”

Then I might ask myself, how exactly do you want to be here for it? One day when I look back, it may not necessarily be the decision I made that I’ll regret, but the way I carried out that decision. Here are a few responses I’d like to keep honing along my journey:

Was I kind? Was I honest? I want to love others enough to be kind and love myself enough to be honest.
Did I pray? There is nothing like engaging with our Creator and our God-given creativity and ingenuity to develop new approaches and solutions. And to see His power and wisdom in action.
Can I find the joy? Laughter gives strength. It reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and that life is not all about outcomes. It keeps us human. It maintains adventure.
Did I ask for help? I’m still working on this one. But the best dreams are the ones that happen together. The best part of dreams are all the lovely people and relationships that often outlive even the dream itself.

What do you think? I’d love to hear some of the responses you’d add to my list.