Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground: Balancing Dreams and Reality
What we see when we close our eyes and what surrounds us when we open them can be two different visions. The dreams we hold for our futures may seem far from our present reality. Both are valuable, so how do we balance the two?
Photographer: Jonas Müller. Styling: Janine Aggen. Hair & Makeup: Tina Fischach. Retouch: Shearer Viljoen. Model: Fiifi Annan.
Dreaming is truly a gift. To reimagine what the future can be and create something that shapes that is an amazing ability. I believe it is what keeps us hopeful in the midst of life’s many pressures. The ideas and artistic expressions that play on a mental loop motivate us to continue on the journey of purpose. There are times, though, when our present reality can cause us to question the dreams we have for our futures; almost as if the dreams are rendered obsolete in the face of challenge and uncertainty. But what if reality walks hand in hand with our dreams?
See the Beauty Unfolding
Despite what may come to mind, reality is not a roadblock to our dreams. It actually grounds them. There is a beauty that unfolds when we accept right now as a necessary part of the journey. Whether it be a rejection, setback, or a pandemic, our present circumstances do not have to stop our aspirations. Reality is the winding path leading us to the vision we see in our minds. Every twist and turn creates an opportunity for inner growth that prepares us for the role we envision for ourselves. I am learning that there would not be much to learn from if we knew exactly how to get from point A to point B. Believing that our best days have already passed slows our momentum towards building our future. Being present allows us to appreciate the people we meet and the lessons learned that we may not have experienced without the bumpy road.
‘We can learn to see obstacles as new opportunities.’
Led By the ‘Why’
The unexpected is bound to occur, beckoning us to lean in rather than push against it. Being present allows us to let go of perfect outcomes and pivot our plans when needed. The source of our dreams, our core motivation for pursuing them, is what leads our actions. It is also what we use to measure success. If our main goal is a material or societal gain, then we will certainly feel frustrated and derailed when obstacles arise that come against them. We will view these things as being ‘in the way’ instead of seeing them as ‘the’ way. But if our goal is to use our talents for the benefit of others, we learn to see those hurdles as new opportunities. Difficulty can help our dream grow more generous, opening our eyes to the way our vision can serve unmet needs around us. It may take some time, but we can embrace that the way we go after our dream is not as important as our reason for chasing it.
‘The next right thing is revealed after taking a step.’
Keep Moving Forward
The one thing dreams and reality have in common? They both exist in a forward movement. Moving forward can feel daunting at times, but any step that is taken in the direction of a dream calls for celebration. One baby step we can take is learning. Gathering as much information as we can about the industry we hope to enter into will give us a good perspective. Maintaining a healthy relationship between what we dream of doing and what is possible at this moment keeps us from being disillusioned over our circumstances. This makes us resourceful - revealing strength, creativity, and determination. These qualities bring clarity and stick with us on the journey. We may be surprised to find that the next right thing is often revealed only after taking a step.
In the face of reality, our dreams are not off the table. They simply look different than anticipated. That is the beauty of dreams becoming reality - there remains the opportunity for them to blow us away, regardless of how long it takes to achieve them. Much like the cliché of having our ‘head in the clouds’ with feet firmly planted on the ground, we welcome the chance for our wildest dreams to come true against the odds. Setting our sights on God cements this. He is as aware of the dreams we hold in our hearts as the present circumstances that we face. Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) in the Bible reminds us that God does ‘exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us.’ In giving our dreams to God, we see He holds reality too.
WORDS BY
Britnie Dates
