“I feel like I’ve forgotten who I actually am,” a busy mother of two told me during class. For nearly a decade, she had devoted herself to raising her children and making sure her family ran like a well-oiled machine, but she had come to realize that something was missing. 

After speaking with her for just a few minutes, it was obvious that she had so much to be proud of. She’s intelligent, well educated, driven, athletic and is raising her kiddos to be active and kind. But somewhere along the way, she’d lost track of her personal ambitions–the goals and dreams she’d had as a young woman–and she’d come to feel like she was no longer the focus of her own life. 

I have seen this same story play out time and time again and not just for moms. It doesn’t have to be this way! One of the primary reasons people take my class, Prioritize My Life, is that they no longer feel they have control over the direction of their own lives. They tell me that they are spending every last ounce of their time and energy focused on their families, jobs and caring for others. While deep inside they know they need to make a change to live their best lives, they’re afraid to take the first step. They don’t want to be seen as SELFISH! 

Let me tell you something that I know to be 100% true. It is NOT selfish to prioritize yourself in your own life. It is NOT selfish to care for yourself, fill yourself with positive energy and pursue your dreams. 

When was the last time you sat down and reflected deeply on your dreams for your life? I begin my class by asking my students to pause and mull this question over, and you might be surprised by the responses I get. Some can’t remember, some break down crying, some are immediately energized by the possibility of change. Many can’t remember the last time they reflected on their own dreams. 

I then ask my students to mentally travel back in time–before kids, before marriage, before service, before their days were filled to bursting with activities and responsibilities–and ask themselves what mark they dreamed they would leave on the world? What ambitious goals did they hope to achieve? How did they want to be remembered? After a moment, the lightbulbs start going off and they begin to write, slowly at first but picking up steam minute by minute. This is one of my favorite parts of the class. 

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Eleanor Roosevelt

With the coronavirus raging and many stuck at home, I challenge you to use this time wisely, starting with a simple exercise: turn off the TV, put down your phone and find somewhere to sit quietly and reflect on a few simple questions. What do you want for your life? What are your dreams? How do you want to be remembered? What mark do you want to make on this world? 

Sharing with others is inspiring, healing, and opens doors. 

I would love to hear from you, what are your dreams?