Dreaming is Contagious

Dreams have a profound effect on our lives. They cause people to act out in their sleep. They create enterprises that employ millions and dreams have changed the course of nations. Of all these types of dreams, it is the ones we share with others that have the most profound effect.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the gift of dreaming big. Many times parents try to give this gift by dreaming for their kids. Dads over the years have earned a bad rap for pushing their kids to play and excel in sports in which they themselves didn't make it big. Children are encouraged to pursue a profession their parent has longed for while grinding it out in a job that just pays the bills. Even when dad has all the artifacts of success, he still may say “I hope my kids do something better than me”.

Dads, today I offer you a more powerful dream. The dream you have for yourself! Dig back into the recesses of your mind and shake the dust off some of those dreams you had before fatherhood, diapers, formula, preschool tuition, etc. If those dreams don't excite you anymore, then create new ones.

Commitment to those dreams and live them. All the while you must give your child a front row seat to the whole show. Tell your kids about your dreams the way they tell you about what they want for their birthdays. Share each step with them as they watch you make your dreams a reality.

Seeing dad (insert your dream here) will inspire your child to dream for themselves. They will dream in such a way that it will cause them to take action and not simply fantasize. Watching your response to setbacks on the journey will give them something to hold on to when they are faced with road blocks. The residual effect of pursuing your dreams on your kids will be greater than anything you could ever dream for them. So dream big, it's contagious.