My 50th - an invitation to dream

INSPIRATION

My 50th – an invitation to dream

‘She decided to start living the life she imagined…’

‘Kobi Yamada’

Last night I lay in bed thinking, about my big birthday next year and what I want to do on the day. In my mind I have been planning a huge bash in Paris somewhere overlooking the Eiffel Tower. I have already started hinting to my friends and family that this would be tres magnifique and they should start saving for a European holiday.

Then my inner version of reality kicks in.

My little voice that tells me ‘don’t’ be ridiculous’ and nobody is going to come all the way to Paris for a birthday….no edit that, I mean for MY Birthday. It is a dream that is totally out of reach and I am not worthy of such a big dream. It will cost too much, we don’t have the money, we’ll have to travel, I’m not important….my dream will be a fizzer and everybody will know.

Don’t tell anyone, if nobody knows then my grand dream can’t fail, I can’t fail.

And I let myself think this way.

I crush my own dreams, like the dream of writing a book, of having a voice, of making a difference. I’ve been taking about this dream for almost ten years. Taking one step forward and then no further, then another step and stopping, no further…gathering information, keeping notes, subscribing to writing blogs and comparing my journal to the polished finished books written by my peers.

I’ve been Peer Gazing and crushing my own voice in the process.

So last night unable to sleep, gazing at the ancient beams overhead my thoughts shifted to my Brother, I was thinking that he only made it a few months past his fiftieth birthday.

That right now if I were him I would only have one year to live.

This exact time next year I would be in the garden finishing the weeding, packing away the lawnmower heading in for dinner, maybe whistling (I like to think of him whistling as he took those last steps).

I don’t know what dreams died unfulfilled with my brother that night, but I bet if he knew that he only had that one last year to live he would have whistled more often.

Dreams don’t need to be grand to live in our hearts, they just need to inspire us to be more than we are. My dream for our Italian life won’t happen by itself, being in Paris for my birthday won’t happen unless I decide it will, my first book will never be read unless I give up that little voice inside my head.

Last night I decided to dedicate this year to my brother, to make it the best year ever, to make my life sing…..or maybe whistle.

As this is going to be the year that sings out loud, dances in the street, and culminates in Paris I’d love you to come along. Sing your own song, create a dream so big you can’t help but dance with the excitement of it, and then share it…..start here, with me, let’s do it together.

Go ahead….dare to dream x

Save

and the gang x

Previous Next

46 replies

« Older Comments

budget jan says:
at

This link is from my Paris Dream Bookmark. When we go to Paris I am going to check it out. See if you like the sound of it. Maybe you could visit it for your 50th Birthday Dinner 🙂
http://mymelange.net/mymelange/2010/12/bistrot-le-petit-troquet.html
Reply
- Lisa Chiodo says:
  at
  
  thanks Jan sounds good maybe a bit small for our needs, we are thinking of meeting at Montmartre but this could be a nice place just for sam and I x
Bronnie - Maid In Australia says:
at

Oh Lisa, you are already living one of your dreams … I think you can make another one come true. I wish I could come over and help you celebrate your 50th. Maybe I should dare to dream for that too!
Reply
- Lisa Chiodo says:
  at
  
  Wouldn’t that be wonderful, if you don’t come I’ll raise a glass of bubbly for you xx
Melissa {Suger} says:
at

I love this post Lisa. It perfectly sums up all that is beautiful and wonderful about the way you write and exactly why you should stop being a selfish cow {my friend} and write that book. Now. Not tomorrow, not the next day but now. Seriously, don’t make me come over there just to MAKE you do it. When I come, there will be vacationing.
Reply
- Lisa Chiodo says:
  at
  
  Oh you know I’m never going to live that one down. That Book, it’s always on my mind just have to get it out into the real world. See it’s just a clever plot to get you guys over here….come and make me lol x
Kerry says:
at

Lisa,
We both spent some time chatting about our dreams back in Maroochydore in Australia a few years ago. Both of us had some challenging times . Well done on achieving your Italian home, a work of love in progress.
I am just packing up to go home after my dream year . I based myself in Carcassonne in the south of France and spent the year travelling. I have to look at my photos to prove it really did happen, I really did see Petra or walk in Norway or visit Gallipoli with ny 11 year old nephew. People say how lucky and yes I am very grateful but do not feel like I have anything special about me. I just followed my dream , one step at a time and trusted . Part of that dream was sharing Paris with my sister in law for her 60 th birthday, something so unlikely. Paris was fantastic and apart from accommodation does not need to be expensive to be enjoyed. I head back home this month and am keen to see loved ones again. I will be back at work but am already planning my next sojourn in Europe. Your blog is inspiring and honest,and I look forward to your 50th with vicarious pleasure.
Reply
- Lisa Chiodo says:
  at
  
  I remember that day well Kerry, we seem so naive now thinking back on it, I’m so glad Bruce pushed us to step out of our comfort zone and meet up with you . Wow how wonderful your year in France sounds, like a dream that’s for sure. Did you really do all those things, I’m in awe!
  
  Just following your dream and achieving so much, inspiring many including your nephew I bet. Arghhh Paris with your sister in law, fantastic, I’d love to be able to see Paris with my Mum and daughter but don’t think Mum would be up for the journey. Maybe we could catch up on your next European adventure xxx
  sending love xx
Sarah Hudson says:
at

Hi Lisa – You definitely need to celebrate the big Five O in style and Paris would be amazing! I dared to dream for my 50th and my life turned around from that moment. Something happens when you turn 50 and its totally wonderful! I’m 56 now and have never felt better about myself so like I always told my kids “If you can dream it, you can do it”. You are living one of my dreams and I admire you in so many ways. Your earthy authenticity, your love for your family, your beautiful writing and photography, your courage …. you will find a way to get to Paris, you deserve it and you will create a bucketful of beautiful memories! PS My dream is to live in Europe for one year ( its my soul and heart home) xx
Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

How Lisa Chiodo and Her Family Followed Their Dream and Renovated a Farmhouse in Italy says:

at

[…] — My 50th: An Invitation to Dream […]

Reply
How Lisa Chiodo and Her Family Followed Their Dream and Renovated a Farmhouse in Italy says:

at

[…] My 50th: An Invitation to Dream […]

Reply

« Older Comments

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

INSPIRATION