I’ve always been a dreamer—eyes as wide as the sea and a heart as open as the sky. But recently I’ve also become a believer. I now realize that the undeniable upside to optimism is hope. Dreams, vows, goals, resolutions, whatever you want to call them, these personal promises have a power all their own, no matter the end result. 

It’s not that I used to think my dreams were frivolous, but I was always afraid to fully commit to them for fear of failure. It was as if I pined openly for something or someone, then not succeeding would be served up with a side of embarrassment. But if my goals were kept quiet, then my disappointment would follow suit. I could mourn a loss privately and still be seen as successful. 

But like love, dreams are much less fulfilling when repressed. I’ve always taken pride in loving fully and openly, with everything that I am. Now I am finding the courage to dream in that same fashion. 

Now, actively chasing those dreams will be another story entirely, but this step I should have taken years ago is still a step in the right direction. 

So, for accountability’s sake, here is my life list, in all its wide-eyed glory.

• write something that absolutely flops
• write something that changes someone’s life
• live in Paris
• ride a plane, to anywhere
• read the classics… all of them
• sing in public
• go skinny dipping
• own a Nikon
• own a publishing company
• be a respected journalist
• go scuba-diving
• have my heart broken
• ride an elephant
• visit Australia
• write a movie script
• get a tattoo
• learn to snowboard
• Eurotrip!
• write a song
• fall in love forever
• go skydiving
• teach something important to someone wonderful
• be a momma
• live in Boston and/or Chicago
• light a three wick candle with a single match
• swim with dolphins
• be in Times Square at midnight on New Year’s Eve
• tell their story
• see Rome
• Mardi Gras in New Orleans