21.5.11

Life at 18: Dreaming of Adventures…

“Dreams are illustrations... from the book your soul is writing about you.” Marsha Norman

Life at 18: Dreaming of Adventures…Into the Unknown
 Do you remember the dreams of your teenage years?  How do they compare to the present? When I was a teenager, young and starry eyed, I had a vivid imagination with enough energy and curiosity to move two trucks filled with stuff.  Like every teenager out there, we imagined we were invincible and would conquer the world with a wink and word.  I looked forward to when I could explore the world and follow through on the many adventures I had dreamt about. My friends believed the same thing... We turned 18, finished one small phase of our lives and headed in many directions; some great and some not so bad.  What was your dream? 



This week, one of Mamakat's Writer's Workshop prompt asks what our big dream was at 18.  For me, I wanted to see the world, to master the unknown and become an accomplished author. My initial outlet was creative; I wrote poetry and prose, watched movies and musicals; placing myself front and center in a world of actors, dancers and writers. I wanted to understand the universe in a way my Catholic upbringing did not teach me. I wanted to visit exotic realms and universes in ways my exploration of yoga did.

Life at 18: Dreaming of Adventures… The Traveler

 One thing I always imagined doing at 18 and found easy to do was travel... and so over the years I traveled a lot; parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and I got to understand what interests me and what bores me to tears. I found a love for other cultures which helped me a lot on my travels and I got to learn about the history of places, the cuisine, and take lots of pictures. What I did not anticipate was my move to the USA and how that would re-write my dreams.




 “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis 

Life at 18: Dreaming of Adventures… Models on Catwalk
 Another dream I cherished as a teenager was to be connected to fashion; the fashion world in some way. I had always loved designers and their creative expression through clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories.  I read all the magazines, designer stories and developed a keen sense of who designed what and when the season showed a line. For a while, I worked in retail at a high end store and learned a lot about fabric, fit, and customer service, plus, I loved being surrounded by gorgeous things. I did some modeling in New York but never fully pursued it. My love for fashion has stayed with me.

Life at 18: Dreaming of Adventures… A Nun's Dream
 As funny as it may seem to some, one of my earliest dreams was to become a Nun. I loved my Catholic school and fell in love with the Nuns austere life of devotion and service. I loved Bible stories and always asked the nuns questions about the mystery of life and God's mighty hand in our lives. I didn't always agree with the teachings, but I wanted to learn more. The Nuns were happy and approached my dad. My dad refused to approve the nun's request on my behalf as he wanted me to marry and raise a family. So my dreams of becoming a nun were replaced with dreams of Prince Charming on the proverbial horse; in real life some PCs showed up on donkeys but that story is for another day. 

When I look back on my life and those days, I find that the spirit of my dreams for adventure and success remain true. Have I accomplished those dreams? Some yes and nay to others but the key is to keep our dreams alive. They become unrealized dreams when we bury them away. Though I am no longer 18, I still have dreams and every day, in some small way, my dreams come true. How about you? How are you managing your dreams? 
I would love to hear from you.  Please leave me a comment/question. Thank You!

The Prompts:  What was your big dream for yourself when you were 18 and had graduated from high school?

This post was inspired by a prompt from MamaKat's Writers Workshop: What was your big dream for yourself when you were 18 and had graduated from High School.

PHOTO CREDITS:   Photograph of  Nun's Dream by Karl  Briullov, Into the Unknown, CatwalkModels, The Traveler -El Viaxeru d'Urculo  via Wikipedia  

Until Next Time… 
Ask. Believe. Receive. 
© Elizabeth Obih-Frank  
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet 


34 comments:

  1. when I saw the two portraits of you in your twitter account, I thought: yes, Eliz could be a model in New York (with or without dog); but actually I like to be inspired by your daily thoughts about a positive motivation. would you give permission to feature you in my wordpress blog? would need the two twitter-photos (or others) and some thoughts of this blogger.com-article about your dreams ...
    greetings from Germany

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  2. Oh Thank you Frizztext! You are funny.... I responded to your comment on my other blog and suggested we chat via email... I'm not sure what exactly you'd like and we should discuss it.
    Thanks for stopping by! :-)
    E

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  3. You had quite varied dreams! Travel, being a nun, fashion and modelling... I suppose my big dream was to move to California. Not a very big dream, I know! But I did it!

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  4. I am glad you remember your dreams. My memory at 18 is not so good. I don't usually remember my dreams. Crazy how things change when we are older.

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  5. Great post, I had so many goals when I was 18 but never really reached them and at 31 I am!

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  6. Hello...thanks for stopping by Finger Click Saver :-). I came to return the love but found I already follow you. I love the line on your Mother's Day post about a woman's guess... How very true that is :-)!! Have a great week. Sue

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  7. Thank you for stopping by my blog. You have a great blog (that I'm now following!) and I love this post about being 18. Those are invincible days!

    Chris
    http://shmily1-lovingdisney.blogspot.com

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  8. Great post, I was just checking if I was following (yes!!) and saw this.

    You could make this into a great guest post- I'd love to be involved!!

    Feel free to drop by our blog- we just posted on planking- have you heard of it?

    http://beourbest.blogspot.com/

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  9. I really enjoyed this post. It seems the times when I feel most connected or at peace in the world is when I'm traveling. Here's to many more adventures!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm now following you as well!

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  10. Thanks for stopping by Fabulous Deals and Steals. I'm now following you back.
    Nice blog!!

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  11. I enjoyed this post very much. Keep dreaming, it frees the mind!

    Stopping in from the blog hop:)
    Deb ~ http://focusedonthemagic.com

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  12. I loved this post! Thanks for stopping by my blog & following! :o)

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  13. Hi ~ coming to you from Tiggeriffic Tuesday... I'm following you now. Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. Travelling was a big one on my list too - I think I was able to do quite a bit before I "settled down" - whatever that means. LOL
    Thanks for coming by :)

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  15. Love the C. S. Lewis quote. Our dreams are such a part of our life and pursing them makes for a great life.

    I'm a new GFC follower from Busy Mom's.

    Blessings,
    Pamela

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  16. Cute blog! I am a new follower from Fun Tuesday and would love for you to stop by http://memoirs-of-2-wicked-chefs.blogspot.com/

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  17. Like Katy's songs so far. Not the new one...ET something like that.

    How to import blog posts to Facebook Page

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  18. Followed you via Networked Blogs from the Tiggerific Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting my blog!

    Have a Magical Day!
    Michele
    Dreams Details and Deals

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  19. Hello! Newest follower from the Follow Me Back blog hop! Would love for you to stop by and follow back, whenever you get a chance. Have a great week! (:

    Amber
    http://beautifullybellafaith.blogspot.com

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  20. Hi! I found you through the Tiggerrific Tuesday hop! Hope you'll come visit and follow me back at http://mommychosis.blogspot.com

    Happy Tuesday!

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  21. Following you through the Fun Tuesday Blog hop and happy to have found you! It's not everyday you find blogs like yours, focused on positive messages and the like. Looking forward to reading more from you! Thanks!

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  22. I absolutely love the quote at the top. Hi! Just stopping by. Following you from the Follow Me Back Tuesday Blog Hop. Would love it if you would follow my blog: blog.writerslairbooks.com. I also have a facebook page that I really would like to gain more visibility: http://www.facebook.com/flightlessgoose. I really appreciate it. I will follow your facebook page in return. Happy blogging!

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  23. My big dream was to be a singer and a starving artist. I'm only one of those things right now, haha!

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  24. Hi! What a fantastic post!!! My dream at 18 (now I am 20) is to become an Italian teacher. I am still going to pursue that dream.

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  25. Thank you all for stopping by and leaving me a comment. I appreciate it. Shana, I visited the site you added but there was no GFC badge. I will like your page the next time I login to FB... Thanks again all!
    Elizabeth

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  26. hi friend thanks for connecting me last week.. you are mentioned in my post here
    Please check and leave a comment there <3
    3yesha

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  27. You take such good photos.

    Oh I sometimes remember the dreams of my childhood and how real they seem to me and that they would come through. They haven't, but it was good to be young and hopeful.

    Enjoy your weekend.

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  28. Thanks all for your comments. They are much appreciated. I have also commented on your blog posts too. Ayesha, I will check out your post. :-) TY!
    Here's wishing all a restful and reflective Memorial day weekend!
    Elizabeth

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  29. great minds think alike, i guess. I used this song a fe weeks ago. Great choice!

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  30. My dreams

    As a abused child I was always dreaming about liberty and peace.I grew up in a family of ortodox priest and doctor.At the age of twelve I was raped by family friend.My very first dream was to go to monastery.I wanted to spend my life with God.My father said I am not good enough for God.

    I had many talents given me by God,writing,playing piano,foreign languages,dancing ballet.– so I had many dreams,to be writer,to be concert pianist,to be ballerina and last to be journalist.Two my dreams were for my own soul and body,to be pianist and ballerina.Other two were my way for helping others.That is what I thought God wanted me to do.In car crash I broke my arm and back so I had to leave my dream to be ballerina.I knew I would never play as concert pianist any more.So I went to chease two other dreams.After University I started to work as a journalist.So my big dream was done.

    I got married and I thought I should have big and nice family with lot of kids.I had seven children.But my marriage was false one,my hubby was abuser.I spend long 18 years in unhealthy relation.My way out was my work.I desited to be war correspodent,so my dreams about travelling was for filled.I crossed almost whole Europe,Asia,and some parts of South America and Africa.Each time I came “home” I was abused again.Then war came to my own country,Yugoslawia.Four long years..too long for many of us.I was wounded several times.At last,after war was over and after giving birth to my last child I decited to change my life.The doctors informed me that I had a cancer and one year leftI left my job.Took three of my kids,two died and teo choose to stay with daddy..and we left.After my hubby with a little help of social service took my kids and I was lefted alone.

    I am back where I was.Alone.Somehow I thought I would never ever live with anyone more.But then I felt in love,with woman I met.We lived nine years together.She had more less the same atittude as my hubby..I never understood how can it happened.Yes,I had dreams to met a woman,I thought they are nicer,better,kinder,more tender..Or maybe I want to see only good in people so I am not looking with open eyes.

    Finally,I am here writing to all of You,most time waiting for Yours new posts,living life through Your lives.I am grateful to God for giving me all chances,I am grateful for life and for bringing me back to Him.Now I love You all with all my heart.May You all be blessed,never forget that You and Your posts can bring someone life back.Thank You Elizabeth once more.

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  31. ...I would be the happiest of men, if I only knew now what I knew then.

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  32. What an interesting post Elizabeth. A young girl who dreamed of becoming a nun and a fashion model...?

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  33. Milenanik3, I've been thinking of you... Did you get my email? My prayers go out to you and your family... You are loved and blessed in many other ways and your voice has helped others even when you didn't know it.... Sending you peace and blessings in 2013

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