Birthing A Dream

Birthing a dream – an idea, a product a service, a business – is much like giving birth to a baby: It is a process, it can be extremely painful and we don’t know exactly how long it will take.

I remember my first pregnancy vividly. By the time I was in my 9th month I’d walk the hill where I lived every night, chanting with every step: “Come baby, come! Come baby, come!”. I was sick of being uncomfortable, unable to sleep properly, or take a deep breath. Sick of feeling like my body did not belong to me. Sick of this ‘stage’ and I was ready to get to the ‘next one’! The novelty of being pregnant had definitely worn off! 🙂

Finally, the night came! My water broke in the middle of the night. The audible “pow!” awakened me.

I immediately started having painful, powerful contractions. I was in labour! There was a brief moment of excitement before the panic set in. My heart raced. My breathing was shallow and I thought: “Wait! I’m not ready! Gimme two more weeks!” 🙂
The birthing process is a period of transition. A period of change. Whether it is childbirth, entering the workforce for the first time or after a long hiatus, leaving a longterm relationship, changing careers, moving, writing a book, raising children, divorce, getting married, graduating college, going to college, starting a business, expanding a business etc. – change can be scary. Even when we choose it consciously, it can be a journey through the extreme of emotions: highs and lows, love and fear, connection and disconnection, excitement and terror.

I have come to see how periods of transition in our life require us to pass through this “birth canal” with much of the same experiences. There is fear of the unknown: what will it look like on the other side? How long will it take? So many factors that are undetermined at the onset of the journey! Then there is the discomfort of the passing through the passage itself.

Many times we get stuck here. Preferring the discomfort of the known rather than facing the unknown. 

Recently I heard myself say to one of my coaching clients: ” There is a reason women usually don’t give birth alone”. We have a mother, sister, friend, nurse, doctor, Doola (birth coach)- sometimes all of these – to help us remember to breathe; to focus; to cheer us on and help us to keep going when we feel like giving up. It takes a lot of energy to birth a baby. It’s tiring and we often feel like giving up just before the baby’s head crowns. That is when the pain is greatest. It is a truth that ” It is often darkest just before the dawn”. I still remember the renewed charge of energy I got when the doctor said “there’s the head!”.

As a Dream Coach, I help people birth their dreams. Figure out what truly matters to them, and help them find the courage and confidence to go for their dreams. But I think the most important thing I do is remind them WHY they’re doing this when the going gets tough, and get them moving again when they get stuck in the “birth canal”. Often times there is no one in your immediate circle of family and friends who can do that for you. They may not grasp your vision or they may resist the changes you are trying to make for yourself for their own reasons.

I’m passionate about what I do because I understand the value of following your hearts desire. The dream/passion that God put inside of you is part of the gift you came to give the world. It’s why you are here. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. It just needs to matter to you!

As a healthcare practitioner for nearly 30 years, I have seen the devastating effects of not honoring your passions and living a life of resistance and fear.
So where are you holding back? What have you talked yourself out of? What are you waiting to do “someday”?
Do it now. Get in action on your dreams. If you’re not sure what they are, start exploring. Start taking baby steps or maybe even a big leap. Once you know what they are, find ways to include your passions in your life on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
If it seems overwhelming, or you simply don’t know where to start, hire a coach. You don’t need to do it alone. In fact, you aren’t meant to!