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. Sharon says:

    Hey Kris
    Thank you for showing up in the world with all that your wonderful self is. This journey, the seeking, the trials and tribulations we all face are made so much sweeter, so much more supported, guided, inspired because of the courage you had to show up in the first place. Those first few steps you took to Dare Greatly (nod to the amazing Brene Brown) inspire others to take their own steps towards the change they want.

    I’ve leapt out of the 30 year “career”, stumbled around “finding” my heart button but with each step (backwards and forwards) I’m learning, growing and ready to allow the birth of my dream to begin (the labour has certainly been interesting!!). I’ve gathered pearls of wisdom from many sources and as I am taking those first steps I just wanted to thank you for the many wonderful pearls of inspiration I have gathered from you.

  2. Al says:

    Kris,

    You are AMAZING!!! I saw you on TV at an a town hall meeting or forum on the OWN network. I checked out your website and I LOVE YOUR EMAILS and website.
    They remind me that I am beautiful even without a man or anyone affirm who I am. I am a child of God.

    Since I joined your email group I have started a VISION BOARD. I have become involved and physically presence in the groups I joined. I have created new groups and dreaming of ideas everyday. Now I plan to take my ideas and dreams and ALLOW them to be birthed into reality. No more waiting for perfection or Someone else – I will make major moves – God willing.
    Thanks!!!!??????
    Al

  3. Bee says:

    Brilliant!! I had a spiritual forest fire in the form of severe post natal depression. This lead to a lot of therapy and major lifestyle changes. Really crappy time but I survived and I’m improving my life one day at a time and helping others to do the same by sharing my story. This post really spoke to me. Thanks for sharing!!

  4. Estel says:

    Hello dear Kris!!

    Your messages always come in the right time in the right place. Here’s why – I really don’t know exactly which is my dream right now. I’m stucked in some health problems and a job I really don’t like. I feel this pressure inside my stomach telling me this is not what I want to do. But still don’t doing any action because I don’t have any idea of what’s next. So I’ll allow my heart to remain open and stay in the vision that this is all because something greater is coming. I’ll try to feel my best and believe that there is a seed in me that someday it’ll finally flourish.

    Best wishes & unicorns!! xoxo

  5. Corrie Ann says:

    This blog post is perfect timing. I have beeen dragging my heals with launching my new wellness magazine. I was seeing it from the view of overwhelm. Now I see it as a step-by-step plan. Still scared as shit, but I can do this! Thanks Kris!

  6. maria warner says:

    Turn your dream work into a pillow note and sleep with it every night in your pillow case. As you lay your head down to sleep you will hear the crinkle of paper and remember what promises you have made to yourself.

  7. Jackie Grimes says:

    I have an app, i thought of an app and made it (well paid someone to make it for me, I cant be good at everything you know). Well things aren’t going great with my app right now, them people I paid are not playing nice!!! I want my app back, It is an amazing app and the world will love it! I will find a new developer (who will not charge me the sky) and they will help make my app great, a download success and everyone will know…that was my app!! Thanks Universe!!!

  8. J D says:

    I started playing the Native American Flute a couple of years ago and immediately was given the thought to combine the healing music it makes with sound & energy healing. Then, for some reason, I put that idea on hold thinking I could do it “down the road” when the timing was better…which I now know there is “No time like the present” to start.

    Then, last summer the thought bubbled back up to the surface of my soul and I started to take the idea of playing & healing more seriously when my mother passed away unexpectedly and never got to hear me play. I was crushed. Three months later one of my cherished lifestyle leaders, Wayne Dyer, passed as well. I was crushed a second time. I wanted to introduce this healing instrument to both of them, and now they were gone. The wind for my sails was no longer there.

    Since then I’ve been adrift for months, aimlessly floating with no direction in mind. I’ve been grasping at straws and all the while feeling a nawing sensation that I still need to bring this healing modality to the world. This musical gift that I was given won’t let go of me …no matter how hard I try to bury or complicate it.

    Kris, you have given me this day, the inspiration and “nudge” in the direction I was born to sail in. My “spiritual forest fire” came last summer and burned a path across my inner being so wide that I didn’t think I could recover. But like any forest after the fire, the charded ground starts to blossom with life again. The fire is nature’s way of clearing out the old dried up clutter and gives new life to the forest in a clean and healthy way.

    YOUR message is giving millions of people a way to recover from their own “spiritual forest fires”. I can only hope my music/energy healing will do the same. Thank you for providing wind once again to my “sheets” and helping me get back “on course”.

  9. Cait says:

    Hi Kris, Thanks for the encouragement. I still don’t know my dreams – I feel like life just drops possibilities in my life as I take each step. So I’m thinking that my vision has to be not so much what I do – but who I become. I want to take all of this seriously and to heart. Just got Crazy Sexy Diet. Want to make the most of it within my budget as a college student. You and Brendon Burchard are my two gurus that I follow. Thank you for being yourself and for being so engaging with all of us as we journey with you.

  10. Elena says:

    I sm the survivor of a recent spiritual forest fire and i didnt even take it personally this time-that deadwood had to go! My dream-to be a Reiki Master Teacher and practitioner.

  11. Tracey Grimes says:

    I’ve always LOVED taking photos, and I’m thrilled when I take one that i really love. My dream would be to get to a place where I could sell or make a living taking photos. I’d love to travel around the world and explore new countries & photograph them in a unique style.

  12. I want to help and devlop my faith and gibe to others. Nruroborrellosid or what ever I have is really bad. I keep asking for a healing. I know God and Jesus lovers me and my family. MTHFR, I keep my self isolated because what ever it is its spreading to others. I have to believe he will help me in my bad habits, I right now am very toxic. Do you know what bio merfisn is and for you believe it’d true? Thou shall trusts in the Lord but not man. I hope and pray for everyone I have afflicted, rebuking this disease or diseases and automunities. Love and God Bless us all. We are so broke I pray Jesus will provide. Becki Hattem

  13. Andrea says:

    Thank you for using your authentic voice …. love your message …… it inspires me to dream more imaginatively ….. so ready ?

  14. Ellen says:

    Needed this. Just had my heart trampled on by the supposed man of dreams — like a light switch being flipped from On to Off — not to mention the hearts of my two beautiful girls, and I really, really, really needed to read this. I guess I felt I had already learned so much about being broken open, about letting the light slip into those little cracks in your soul…about rising, like a Phoenix! A mother.effing.badass.Phoenix. Only to have those big beautiful wings clipped, sending me soaring into the ground.

    So, thank you. A good reminder not to seal up my heart, to let its edges remain soft. And hopeful.

  15. P.S. LOVE the new site! xoxo

  16. This post came at just the right time. My closet-than-sister, best friend and cousin is coming today to stay with me for a while after a devastating heartbreak. I have no idea what to say to her. This post has given me the gentle guidance that I can hopefully pass on to her and let her know, he wasn’t the one. There is someone even better waiting for her. Thank you, Kris. For your truthful wisdom and sensitivity.

  17. Cristina says:

    Hi Kris! First of all thank you!
    My husband and I have a dream since last year and we decided that this year we’ll make it happen but all the excitement I had last year is gone and now I’m just stuck in fear and worries. Our dream is to start a new life in a new country, a new beginning. We made plans, change our minds and kept planning but as the time to take action approach I feel just afraid of the change. I’ll keep building the faith that everything will be ok , slowly. Reading your blog. So thank you for the eye opener 🙂

  18. Padma says:

    Another great post. Love the way you write. It’s cool and yet profound!

    I was just talking with a friend about how the events of the past 2 years have eventfully led to the bottoming out of life for me and that things can only get better. Spiritual forest fire is an excellent explanation, the kick in the butt from the U!

    My health reflected every bit of that bottoming out and I started with trying to take care of myself first, it’s a work in progress, I wanted a better job than the one I quit because I needed a break and I got it and now my dream is to meet a nice, kind, loving man to spend the rest of my life with. And maybe play a dreaming game with ? That’s my dream and I am putting it out there now! Love you, Kris. You are coolness!

  19. Dear Kris,

    Thank you for another great article! This hits home for sure. I’m 32 and recently married without two pennies to scratch together as we work through the immigration process to get my Green card for the US (I’m Canadian). We are living with my mother-in-law while we get on our feet thousands of miles away from my family, needless to say I’m more than a little homesick.

    I love to write and play music and have had some success (I did 3 tours in my home provinces in 2014 and placed in a bunch of great competitions and even did a month long music residency in Banff, AB). My last tour was in Feb 2015 and I was in the midst of a horrible, gut wrenching and exhausting affair with a married man. I cut the tour early and went home and I haven’t really done much performing since.

    I love writing and creating in the recording studio and want to see it go somewhere, but right now I’m just completely lost. I’m trying to be patient, meditating and doing all I can do be gentle and loving with myself during this transition. Will definitely print off this wonderful worksheet and trust the Universe will show me the way back to my passionate, confident self!

  20. Thank you Kris. You have given me so much support and love that I really needed going through my Cancer journey. I so appreciate and love you and your strength. You are an angel doing G-ds work on earth. God bless you.

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