Tera,

What a wonderful observation! Sometimes we get so focused in our mind that we lose some of the energy of creativity that fuels us. It reminds me of a garden hose, where we put our thumb on the end to make it squirt farther, but if we put too much thumb into it, it stops the flow of water or explodes all over us.

In terms of mindful practices, it is often described as holding a bird in our hand. We want to hold it tight enough that it doesn’t fly away, but not so tight that we crush it. Said differently, your dream is the fuel of the vision, and your actions, focus and dedication are what realize that dream.

One thing we can do is take a few moments and brainstorm our priorities. Then take a look at them, do they still resonate with the dream? If they have become material, or relate too closely to project deadlines and don’t sparkle with the energy of the dream, you have perhaps crushed the bird and need some time to self-nurture. If they still sparkle with your inner desires, then you’re doing fine and simply haven’t been opening to the joy of the steps of the dream.

Remember that the sun on the horizon is only a carrot to lead us down the path. The joy, realization and contentment are available at every step. Said differently, the path is the destination, and when we forget that we cut ourselves off from the energy of reality. This is the beauty and tragedy of being a combination of heavenly and earthly beings… it becomes a balance between joy, mindfulness, creativity and bills, deadlines, and obligations. With each one, we can breathe mindfully.

Its like accepting the rules of a game that we play with our friends and children. There are rules, and we follow them, but it is in the playing that the fun happens, not in the winning or losing.

With warmth,
Matt