What's Your Dream? And When is it Enough?

What is your dream? 

Really, what is it? If someone asked you to describe your dream life, what would you tell them?

I love talking about dreams. I love dreaming. I love saying to dream big and chase your dreams no matter what.

Lately, with so much transition happening, it's made me think more about this. And I'm wondering if maybe all the focus we put on chasing our dreams leads us to a place of feeling unfulfilled.  Does putting so much pressure on chasing the dream make us more apt to not feeling content when we should?

If you asked me what my dream was, I'd tell you it's to be an author who gets to write books for a living. I'd tell you I want to pay my rent with my words. That I want to get to write book after book and know that people want to read them. To me, that's the dream. 

But alas, that's not happening right now. My job has nothing to do with writing, but it pays my bills. And I still get to write--I have this blog, and of course, I'm always writing, still chasing that dream. Is that enough? For now, I think yes.

Here's the thing: I think it's possible to enjoy life and be happy exactly where you are while still chasing your dream. Does being happy where you are mean you're settling, or that you're giving up on what you want? No, it doesn't.

We're all where we're at in life. And we can--and should--chase our dreams. But don't let that lead you to a place of being ungrateful and restless. Celebrate the areas where you get to have your dream and your life intersect, and keep looking for those areas. But don't let the desire to chase your dream make you throw away the happiness that your life right now could bring you. Because chances are, it's a pretty good life.

So dream on, dreamers. But be happy today, here and now, too.

Happy Life Advice.

Walk barefoot at least once in every new place you go. 

At least once a week, do something that scares you. 

Find a lipstick that you love, and wear it whenever you're having a bad day.

Always be reading a book.  Even if it's just a page a day, always be reading.

Every now and then, put your iphone down and just live in a moment instead of taking a picture of the moment.  Make a memory just for yourself, not for your instagram friends.

Make to-do lists, but don't be afraid to ignore them.  Sometimes real life can't fit on a to-do list, and that's okay.

Start fresh every morning.  Have a cup of coffee and treat the day like the blank slate that it is.

If you're passionate about something, work it into your life.  It doesn't matter if it's impractical.  Life is too short to ignore the things you're passionate about.

Work hard at everything you do.  If you're not going to work hard at it, get rid of it and work hard at something else.  If it's something that has to be in your life, like a job you don't love, suck it up and work hard at it anyway.  You're never going to be happy with something that you're lazy with.

But be lazy sometimes.  Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Recognize moments of pure happiness and hold on tight to whatever causes them.

Always be dreaming.  Big dreams, small dreams, doesn't matter.

Remind yourself, often, of how fantastic you are.  Whether it's the fact that you have awesome handwriting, that you're amazing at your job, or that you cook really great breakfast, remind yourself that you are wonderful.

If you love the people in your life, tell them.  In as many ways and as often as you can.

Get yourself a puppy.  Because, duh.

What advice do you have for a happy life?