Kris Carr

Kris Carr

Emotional Health

How to Move From Dreaming to Doing

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Hi Dear Friends,

Is there something you’ve been aching to try but are too afraid to pursue? Are you frozen in a life or belief system that no longer satisfies who you are today? Do you celebrate everyone else’s progress but your own?

Well, I’ve got some potentially difficult (yet ultimately awesome) news for you. A spiritual forest fire could be on the way.

At least that’s my pattern. Sometimes, when I’ve ignored my gut and resisted my intuition, the universe has had to use a megaphone to get my attention. You know, those kick-in-the-pants moments that end with falling on your face and having to pick yourself up and start fresh.

Here are a few of my messy examples…

I was in a painful relationship with a man I loved more than he loved me, we were about to get married and that’s when the letter with pictures from another woman came. He cheated. I was crushed beyond measure. Sadly, what happened next was ugly and regretful, but in the end I am certain that I sidestepped a disastrous marriage in the nick of time. Spiritual forest fire.

Six years later I married the man of my dreams.

I was in a career that was going nowhere (acting). Sure, I did great theater, a handful of bad films, some TV, and endless commercials, but I rarely had the opportunity to share my real gift—my authentic voice. In fact, I had wanted to quit for a while but I was too afraid to do it.

Then I got sick and the offers dried up. Spiritual forest fire.

Twelve years later I’ve got a few New York Times best-sellers and over a million cherished readers a month who value my unique approach to healthy living.

Are you starting to get the picture?

I share these stories to show you what’s possible on the other side of the fire.

And believe me, I could go on with endless examples of what happened when I refused to see the truth, got the rug pulled out from under me, then woke up and used my bottoming out as an opportunity to rise.

But you don’t have to wait for your own spiritual forest fire to start living the life you want to live.

Just because you may be feeling stuck in a relationship, financial situation, health crisis, or dead-end career, doesn’t mean you don’t have choices.

We’re constantly given opportunities to grow and our souls are always nudging us in the direction of what’s best for us—winking at us when we’re in alignment and warning us when we’re not. Our job is to stay open and listen.

When we feel stuck or resistant, our souls just ask that we remain receptive and willing to see things differently—even if that means feeling uncomfortable.

Lastly, human beings are creative for a reason. Evolution requires imagination. And let’s face it, change isn’t always easy, even when it’s positive, that’s why we need to lean on our creativity to show us the way.

Let’s try it together…

First, what do you want?

See it. Taste it. Ask for it. Talk to yourself, your journal, your closest compadres, God, The Universe, the trees, your dogs.

Next, start sketching a rough draft of how to get there.

This isn’t some woo woo exercise, it’s how many of the most successful people in the world manifest abundance in their lives. Once we’ve identified our wants we have to back them up with action.

Oh! And don’t forget: Unleash your imagination.

Allow yourself to believe that everything is in reach. My husband and I have a dreaming game we play where the sky’s the limit, any idea is possible. His dreams are always huge and fun. While mine are often small and tidy with neat tucked-in corners. “Babe, you have an imagination for a reason, use it!” Good advice.

And lastly, if you’re experiencing some dream constipation and just don’t know what you want, don’t worry.

Start there and have faith that the answers will come

There’s no need to force a direction. Allow your heart to open and be patient. Stay observant and don’t push the river. You’re brewing. Marinating. Gestating. And that, my friend, is enough for now.

I hope this blog is a step towards unsticking any stuckness. A bright future awaits. All you need is a pinch of courage, a dash of effort, and a cup of faith.

Your turn: I want to hear from you, take the first step and share one big (or small) dream of yours with me and our awesome community. Put it out there!

Peace and imagination,

 
Add a comment
  1. lucie says:

    Wow just what I needed today… I find myself at the bottom looking up at all the burnt bits of my own spiritual forest fire. Time to rebuild. Thanks for this one xx

  2. M.L. says:

    I am trying to budget cut down cooking time need more juice with less eating food and need to know budget and preparation without too much Hassel. Am present diabetic…sick and have many complications and intense stress. I have people hacking me, tearing my one set of clothes you name it and it is happening. Personally I have the running shits about the whole matter.

  3. Elizabeth says:

    Some of my dreams (that will become reality in the next few years) are to watch sea turtles hatch with my daughter. We have already swam with them and been to a sea turtle farm…but this would be the best! I also want to go cliff jumping and end up in warm blue water. This is partly for the rush and partly as an extremely symbolic gesture of starting a new and exciting life as I turn 50 (but look and feel soooo much younger) Another dream, which would help those others come true, is to build my little blog, elizres.com, so it can inspire even more women to feel happy, healthy, and hot. B school, along with your coaching, would be a dream come true. Due to some MAJOR changes going on in my life, finances will be really tied up for awhile. I am going to apply for a scholarship because I know that the timing is perfect for me to start b school and really put myself out there. Look out world!

  4. Erin says:

    My dream is starting to take shape. And thanks to you and Gabrielle Bernstein and Marie Forleo, I am actually feeling it become more solidified in my head, instead of just my heart. I am in the process of creating a book and a website that will help launch the book and the idea within it. I have taught for twenty years and I understand the importance of sharing wisdom and bringing hope and inspiration to others. But I would love to do it on a more global level and with adults instead of only middle school aged teens. Thank you for sharing your inspiration, your strength and your love of commitment to creativity.

  5. Samantha says:

    This is so hard for me because I’m always thinking “If I stop now, does that mean I gave up too easily?” I often find that I don’t know when enough is enough, doubting my decisions, and thinking that I didn’t give it a fighting chance.

  6. Cassandra says:

    I dream of being a health coach. I can see myself meeting with clients, writing books, making video blogs, all of it. it’s so exciting I can’t hardly contain myself. I want to jump in with both feet RIGHT NOW!!!! I am going to start my education journey at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. All I am lacking are the funds to pay for it so here is my prayer to God…
    I know that this is where I am supposed to go and what I am meant to do. Please guide me in the direction I need to go and provide the way and the funding for this to happen. I see myself helping others to find their bliss and health with my knowledge, education, and passion. Thank you for guiding me this far and for answering my prayers. In your name, Amen!!
    Thank you Kris for being so awesome at helping us find our passion and for being who you are. Love you and your work. You inspire me to keep my eye on the prize and to keep reaching for my bliss. Even when those messages come floating in. You know the ones… “You want to do what??” “How could you possibly inspire anyone else?” “You’re a loser and you need to just give up!!” When I hear these messages I simply remind myself that I AM AWESOME!! Then I tell those little voices to KISS MY ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Hugs and Kisses Kris 🙂 Love you!!!

  7. Eliezra says:

    This was just what I needed, thanks so much!

  8. PhillyLass says:

    This is so timely, I actually have chills. I’ve been feeling stuck for some time. A few days ago, I asked the universe for signs on what I should do and how I should move forward– and now I find this planner in my inbox! It can’t be coincidence! Thanks, Kris!

  9. Cindy says:

    Kris! Spiritual Forest Fire. Love it.
    What if you are stuck in an agonizing Spiritual Smolder?? Ha… Need a little more tinder to get things burning.
    But when it finally bursts into flames – I hope I’ll be ready to rise from those ashes too.
    Thanks for your site and all your encouraging info. ps Happy Valentine’s Day… early.

  10. Nicole says:

    I’ve been feeling so stuck lately- I really needed this post today! Thanks Kris! 🙂

  11. Andreina says:

    Wondersfull blog post My dear Kris. Just what “I” and many others needed to hear. And its true, sometimes we need to loose it all (or big parts of our lives) to create space for the new. The thing is our mind think that we are loosing something when in reality we are gaining space to create what we really want. I “lost”my job last summer. I felt bad at first but in my heart knew I was not happy in that job. That situation gave me the opportunity of starting my company and a new dream for myself. It wasn’t easy at first but it has been so fulfilling! I got to hire myself as the CEO of my life, and loving it!! Thank you Kris for validating my process with the words of this blog. Much love Andreina

  12. Lauri Mackey says:

    Thank you for being your authentic self and being an inspiration for me on a daily basis. Another huge thank you for introducing me to Erin Stutland’s amazingness! Love and positivity!

  13. Ashley says:

    I needed these words today, thank you Kris!! I’ve been feeling SO stuck lately and really down on myself since I made the physical move back to my hometown last year with the intention of becoming a health coach full time, but what I had planned as a part-time position last summer has now turned into a full-time job that I’m not happy in at all. A few days ago, a lot of emotions came to the surface when I received my certificate from my nutrition school: a year has gone by and I’m nowhere near my dream life! Talk about a spiritual forest fire!! I’m still SO scared of walking away from everything but I can’t wait to fill this planner out to get some clarity 🙂 thank you thank you from the depths of my heart for writing this article

  14. Michelle says:

    LOVED this post. so resonated for me at my time in my life. I am facing the same thing at the moment. I let fear get in the way of anything I want in life, BUT that’s what I need to help and serve others – how to be free of fear to get what we want… so hard sometimes, but we just have to trust, be patient and stay true. I always think we need to rush things and it needs to be a certain way – comparing to others, I want my business to be full time, but what I want more than anything is to just serve others, so what if it isn’t a full-time business. What if I just concentrate on helping and serving others instead of trying to make myself happy by forcing myself to make myself happy to be a certain way. It is only external happiness. It won’t make me happy until I feel happy in myself to help others. So, start small and then just go with the flow 😉

  15. Amy says:

    My dream is what I call an “extraordinary ordinary” – I want a home that is clutter free, happy and filled with love and laughter. I would like to be a prosperous full time artisit and part time reiki healer/wellness coach/yoga devotee. maybe have a little yearly or 6 monthly wellness gathering where my friends bring a friend to “initiate” into our circle, spread the love…

    and that’s it. 🙂 I already have the beautiful children, I know ill meet a wonderful man, I have two dogs and a cat and a lovely house on great arrangements with the landlord and a wonderful family full of every personality you could want, a reliable vehicle, beautiful things, talent and a smile. I’m a gratefully lucky lady and I know persistence pays off.

  16. Beryl says:

    Taking heart-felt inspired action is the key!
    Stop resisting to become who you meant to be, stop resisting to see what wonders the life has stored for you, take an action, do your small part,
    Your part is so small, and the life, universe, God, whatever you call, does the rest,
    But you have to move and do the small part first!

  17. luke says:

    loving your thought process. I received your starter kit but the links are not working. can your tech people help out? thank you. back to more reading.

  18. I can’t thank you enough for all that you do. You have inspired me in so many ways. My sister recently passed away from Esophageal Cancer. I watched as chemotherapy destroyed her body. Almost simultaneously, I was diagnosed with Severe Cervical Dysplasia caused by the HPV Virus. I am one step away from cancer myself, if I don’t do something to change it. My goal is to heal myself naturally and holistically.

    From there, I want to change the world. My big goal is to change the food that is served in US hospitals. I also want to help others with the HPV virus heal themselves naturally. I have taken the first step by enrolling in IIN to become a Health Coach. I graduate in May. I have a million ideas, but often get overwhelmed and have a hard time seeing the first step. This blog really helps me to break it down and focus on the next step, which for right now, is taking care of myself.

    Thank you,
    Courtney Miller, Shine Light Health

  19. Frank says:

    Hi Kris,
    You hit the nail on the head in step 5 about being ready and willing to take action. I’m currently starting down the road in a new venture as a sideline to my current profession. I’ve started and stopped so many times in the past but now realize that wanting something to “manifest” is a great mindset to have BUT… I need to take some action to put the plan in motion and keep it going. I have a post-it on my computers at home and work the simple say “Do it Now!” This gives me that little push I need to move forward before I can “just let it go.”
    Thanks,
    Frank

  20. Nicky Leonti says:

    LOVE THIS! I have been following my dreams and making them happen for a few years now. Now I am fortunate enough to help others do the same. I love your passion for life! So inspiring. x

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