Starlight and dewdrops are awaiting for thee
Sounds of the rude world heard in the day
Led by the moonlight have all passed away
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song
List while I woo thee with soft melody
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng
Beautiful dreamer awake unto me
Beautiful dreamer awake unto me
~ "Beautiful Dreamer" by Stephen Foster
I haven't been able to get this song out of my head lately. Why? Because as part of our cultural training, the summer staff have been asked to write down any of the dreams we have—no matter how big or small. I love projects like this because it gives me a chance to really look intrinsically at what I desire most in life. What do I want to gain? What do I want to give? Who do I want to be? Why do I want to be this?
The past week any dream, inspiration or formerly silent hope I could think of has been written down. Today I looked back and began examining which ones were really important to me or worth hoping for. Even if they seemed ridiculous I kept them on my list. The only ones I got rid of were ones like, "I wish my mom would send me some Nature Valley granola bars" (hint hint, the almond and peanut ones) or "I dream that I'll find the wardrobe leading to Narnia." Those are more wishful thinking, not really dreams that I feel extremely strongly about (although I'm open to the possibility of both of those coming true!!!).
Below I've shared some of the dreams that I'm really excited about. Especially three of them, as Phil (our leader for this exercise) asked us to dream of three things we want to see happen before we leave China. Some of these seem ridiculous, some of them seem completely up-in-the-clouds, but if we don't have dreams like that then we will never achieve anything great. I mean, the cookie jar isn't as exciting if it's always within reach. It's having to climb up on the counter that makes the chocolate chip deliciousness worth it!
Dreams I wish would happen before I leave China
1. My Girl is selected to be adopted by a family dedicated to loving this sweet, beautiful wonderfully precious little girl.
2. I want to meet and have a conversation with Pope Francis (How awesome would that be!? "Surprise, the Pope came to China! Surprise, he's in Qingyundian!" ;) )
3. Help to initiate a sustainable community outreach program through ND in Qingyundian
Other Dreams
- Become fluent in at least one language
- Befriend a homeless person
- Graduate from Notre Dame
- Learn how to be a more patient and understanding person and love everyone I encounter for who they are
- Own a horse
- Have a family and adopt multiple children from all over the world
- Enter into a career field I am passionate about
- Have coffee with Warren Buffet
- Attend a OneRepublic, Imagine Dragons, Mumford & Sons and Bastille concert (together would be sick, but separately will do as well!)
- Be so passionate about what I do that someone else is inspired to pursue their own vision and make a major positive contribution to the world
- Take my dad on a father/daughter wilderness trip
- Go on a relaxing mother/daughter vacation
- Bungee jump and/or sky dive.