What do you do when a dream dies?

Someone I know recently asked the question, "What do you do when a dream dies?" (Indeed, something that we have all likely mulled over or felt from time to time.) Try this on for size:

First, Honor the Past: find some “kernel of truth” in what that dream was—identify some insight or idea, image or inspiration inherently worthy and honorable that can serve as a “keepsake of experience.” Doing so will help you to truly reconcile your pain or disappointment and carry you forward without rage, regret, shame, or apathy and with hope and appreciation, filling you with a renewed sense of confidence and peace.

Second, Transform the Present: accept, embrace, and grow in poise with what is. Like it or not the human experience is filled with dark and light, adversity and opportunity at every step along the path. It does us no good to fixate on all the “dark” crap; moreover, to build our lives around worrying about and expecting what untold dark stuff might one day befall us; when we do we merely survive, living a superficial, shell-like existence. In the same vane, it also doesn’t it help us to pretend or demand that all can always be “light”; sorry, but this is nothing more than wish-fulfillment gone wild. Contrary to popular opinion, simply “thinking happy thoughts” is not a strategy for sustainable happiness and wellness. Life is simply and wonderfully a magnum opus of both; high or low, right or wrong, it’s all true. Know that exceptional things, both awesome and awful, can and do happen on a daily basis to all of us. The challenge is to realize that both kinds of experiences stir our spirit and give us a richer sense of life. So trying focusing on what is most right and real for you now and build from that.

And finally, Craft a New Story for the Future; not only think about but actively form what can still be. Realize that there comes a time when you need to stop demanding from life, “Why me?” and “Why now?” and start asking yourself, “So what I am going to do about it, and create and contribute because of it? How am I going to more than survive; how am I going to thrive? We always have the power and privilege to make considered choices, to create with intention and purpose, and to contribute with energy and tenacity toward something new and inspiring for the future if only we put aside fear and ego and truly make ourselves available to any and all new possibilities. Ask yourself, going forward, what is the story your life desires to tell? Remind yourself that every time something ends, there is the opportunity for something new to begin; the question is what will that be? So take a leap of faith and trust that that life is still worth living, and you still have a reason to be—to be here not only “now” but always in spirit!