Dream Big & Small

Dreaming Again No.2: Dream Big and Small

(The Dreaming Again series was sparked by a conversation with my friend, Allen, who asked me “What are your dreams?” I didn’t have a good answer. In the following weeks, the subject kept coming up in other conversations and encounters. In these posts I’m just sharing things I’ve learned while processing the subject. One thing is for sure: dreaming is a necessary part of life.)

When my friend Allen asked me “What are your dreams?” my mind went searching for the one dream that would mean my life was a success. That’s a lot of pressure. I realized that my understanding of dreaming and thinking forward needed to shift from only gigantic to always diverse. In our conversation, Allen shared two dreams with me. One dream was big and for a time further down the road. I hope he pulls it off because I want the opportunity to say, “Hey! I know that guy!”  The other dream, though, was small. He could make it happen any day with a ‘swish and flick’ of his wrist. Not all our dreams will be life changing markers of success; some dreams will just be fun.

While processing I started to differentiate between big and small dreams. As an aide, I created a dream board. I’m a very visual and hands-on person, so virtual boards like Pinterest don’t cut it for me. I need, need I tell you, to involve all my senses. So, my dream board is one that I can see and touch. I can hear the chalk crumbling against the board. I can smell the sweet Sharpie as I write on sticky notes and lean in for a closer sniff. And, as I sip and savor my coffee, I contemplate my newly conceived ideas.

My big, life dreams are on the left and my smaller dreams are on the right. The middle is reserved for inspiration and truths that keep me grounded. For example, the first thing I put on my dream board was the post card that says “Be though my vision oh Lord of my heart.” I’m all for dreaming, thinking forward and outside boxes, but only as my eyes are on Jesus. He defines what is beautiful, and nothing compares to him.

Following are some differences I came up with between big and small dreams. I’m using personal examples and experience as a point of reference. What would you add to this list? What’s your experience with different types of dreams?

• Big Dreams can seem irrational and impossible to accomplish — Small Dreams are easier to measure

One of my life dreams is to be a professor at Christ for the Nations Institute. Twenty years ago, that was an unattainable dream for me. But, after taking  countless hours of music lessons, gaining  experience leading worship, and getting a proper education, that dream is within my grasp. I got to say, it feels pretty neato. One music student at a time, one Sunday at a time, one class at a time were small, measurable dreams that are suddenly making the big dream seem possible.

• Big Dreams take time, sometimes decades —  Small Dreams are relatively quick

This difference plays off the first one, just more specific.  Being qualified to apply for a teaching position took decades, but I can learn to play the cello within a year. I mean, I won’t be Yo-Yo Ma or anything, but I bet I could play a worship song or two. And, well, let’s be honest, if you can play one worship song then you can play a hundred of them.

• Big Dreams are risky —  Small Dreams are safer

Even though I can apply for a teaching position at CFNI, there is no guarantee. Some things are out of our control, and we have to be okay with that. If I don’t get my dream job or something comparable, I will have some reevaluating to do. But it’s not like the last twenty years have been wasted. Smaller dreams, on the other hand, are safer. If I can’t conquer the basics of the cello, I’ve only lost a little time and money.

• Big Dreams are often life changing, markers of success — Small Dreams can be more like bucket lists and fun short-term goals

Writing and worship leading are other big dreams of mine. I think it would also be neato to sing for a recording label and write for a publishing company. Meanwhile… I’d like to go to Greece. Which one do you think will happen first? Opa!

• Big Dreams can have small versions — Small Dreams keep us hopeful

I currently teach piano, voice, and songwriting as a private instructor. Although it’s not my dream job, it does involve three of my life dreams—music, teaching, and writing. Honestly, the best parts of my week always involve my students. Accomplishing small dreams keep me alive and thinking forward.

One more thing and I’ll stop for this week… A while back I was introduced to the Flow Chart  based on Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow. In short, the theory says that a state of flow is created in our lives when the right amount of skill meets the right amount of challenge. If we have too much skill and not enough challenge, we will be bored. If we have too much challenge and not enough skill, we will be frustrated. I’ve used this chart countless times over the years to assess various situations and opportunities. It has helped me know what to say “yes” to and what to say “no” to, and it pushes me to learn more. Never stop improving!

This concept has helped my dream issue. When I’m dreaming, I’m creating challenges where my skill can be applied. When I’m not dreaming, I’m bored. I may fill every hour of my day with things to do, but I’m still bored. Corrie Ten Boom said, “Beware of the bareness of a busy life.” That’s where I was when Allen tapped on this closed door in my heart—busy, bored, and sore. But the flip side is having only gigantic dreams leaves me frustrated, and I shut down. While I’m building skill to accomplish big dreams, there is a life-giving impetus in paying attention to the small dreams.

So, let me pay it forward by asking you, what are your dreams? I can’t encourage you enough to think about your dreams—big and small, old and new.

Still ahead:

Dream About the Dream (September 14)

Dream with People (September 28)

Dream Blockers (October 5)