The dictionary describes a dream as "a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal" among other things. In other words it is something in your mind that you yearn for. All I can say is thank goodness we have dreams.
Dreams or aspirations provide every one of us with the opportunity to strive for a goal we may not normally entertain. Dreams are a kind of moving target in life that can keep us on track, help us to keep going in down times and generally give us something to aim for.
It has been a couple of months since I wrote my last blog. Unfortunately during that time I have seen some changes. I have seen friends and acquaintances stricken by Cancer and pass on and one particular very good friend of mine trying hard to deal with the onset of Dementia in the form of Luey Body Disease. All he can do realistically is to be up and wait out his fate born up by his faith.
Experiencing all this has left some emptiness in our hearts. We know it's a part of life's journey we all embark upon from the moment we are born but it hurts nevertheless when we lose someone or see someone suffer who is dear to us. As we age we begin to realize that time is precious and that it is important to make the most of what time we have left.
I can only hope that everyone we know can at the end of their time here say to themselves in one form or another, - "I dreamed a dream" (the title of this blog). We all deserve that in life, to fulfill at least one cherished aspiration or ambition during our time here.
Our dreams and objectives sometimes change direction through life and we, like others are no less susceptible to those changes.
During the past 16 months (the first 16 months of our retirement journey) Donna and I have had to make changes to our plans in order to keep on track. Our dream, is to live life to the full, be happy and enjoy our families and our time together while we have the health to do it.
We have had many conversations about what we do once our current adventure comes to an end. Where do we go next? How do we get there? How long will our journey take? What are our objectives on the way? And, when we finally arrive at our destination what will it be like? - lots of questions that cannot really be answered until we arrive.
During the past 16 months (the first 16 months of our retirement journey) Donna and I have had to make changes to our plans in order to keep on track. Our dream, is to live life to the full, be happy and enjoy our families and our time together while we have the health to do it.
We have had many conversations about what we do once our current adventure comes to an end. Where do we go next? How do we get there? How long will our journey take? What are our objectives on the way? And, when we finally arrive at our destination what will it be like? - lots of questions that cannot really be answered until we arrive.
Recently, during our due diligence about where we should live next we both thought a change of direction might be on the cards. The result of some good open, honest and fun conversations we have had while we have been alone.
Originally we had thought we would move to Panama lock stock-and-barrel, but on giving this further consideration we thought this might be the wrong approach i.e., placing all our eggs in one basket and definitely against what I wrote about in my previous blog when I said, "do nothing that cannot be undone in a half hour or less". Maybe we should take our own advice. That ladies and gentlemen is precisely what we did.
We have to face facts. What happens if we get down to Panama and after a year of so life is not up to our expectations? It can and does happen to many individuals and families who travel to pastures new. More than you would imagine. We know, we have spoken to lots of people who are doing the same as us. So we thought we would take baby steps for now and be careful not to leave ourselves open to any uncomfortable situations that could potentially end up costing us a lot of money later on.
We will still go to Panama but when we do go, we have decided that we will rent there instead of buying so we can check everything out without being under any pressure because if we purchased, we will have invested everything we had in something without doing our due diligence first. We feel much more comfortable with this decision.
Originally we had thought we would move to Panama lock stock-and-barrel, but on giving this further consideration we thought this might be the wrong approach i.e., placing all our eggs in one basket and definitely against what I wrote about in my previous blog when I said, "do nothing that cannot be undone in a half hour or less". Maybe we should take our own advice. That ladies and gentlemen is precisely what we did.
We have to face facts. What happens if we get down to Panama and after a year of so life is not up to our expectations? It can and does happen to many individuals and families who travel to pastures new. More than you would imagine. We know, we have spoken to lots of people who are doing the same as us. So we thought we would take baby steps for now and be careful not to leave ourselves open to any uncomfortable situations that could potentially end up costing us a lot of money later on.
We will still go to Panama but when we do go, we have decided that we will rent there instead of buying so we can check everything out without being under any pressure because if we purchased, we will have invested everything we had in something without doing our due diligence first. We feel much more comfortable with this decision.
We also decided that to be out of the real estate market in Canada would not be helpful or wise so we will take another second look at Vancouver Island in the Coastal regions of Nanaimo in order to get away from the cold Alberta winters, should we be in Canada at that time of year.
We hope to find something nice on the island that will also permit us to continue following our dreams yet keep a closer connection to the families we have here in Canada.
We hope to find something nice on the island that will also permit us to continue following our dreams yet keep a closer connection to the families we have here in Canada.
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| Believe it or not. Our world in not all beaches and palm trees. There's lots more to see around the world which is why we are studying further options....where to next? Hmmm! That's the $50,000 question. |
Getting back to the title of our blog and departing somewhat from our retirement update, you may also remember that the title "I dreamed a dream" was also a song sung by a lady named Susan Boyle - a Scot. from Blackburn, in West Lothian, Scotland when she appeared on "Britain's Got Talent".
All I can say is that what she did on that show that night made a huge impression on me. I have re-visited her performance time and time again and this is partly the reason why I made this the title of our blog which does actually have something to do with our journey.
Susan Boyle was a nervous lonely lady who was quite clearly uncomfortable with the position she was placing herself in - singing to such a large audience, but she wanted it with a passion.
The moment she opened her mouth and began to sing, she stunned a pretty sceptical audience and also the judges - all of which were clearly thinking this was going to be another one of those hard-to-sit-through performances. I believe they saw Susan Boyle as as a bit of a joke. Another reminder of the saying "don't judge a book by its cover" and don't prejudge what you know nothing about.
All I can say is that what she did on that show that night made a huge impression on me. I have re-visited her performance time and time again and this is partly the reason why I made this the title of our blog which does actually have something to do with our journey.
Susan Boyle was a nervous lonely lady who was quite clearly uncomfortable with the position she was placing herself in - singing to such a large audience, but she wanted it with a passion.
The moment she opened her mouth and began to sing, she stunned a pretty sceptical audience and also the judges - all of which were clearly thinking this was going to be another one of those hard-to-sit-through performances. I believe they saw Susan Boyle as as a bit of a joke. Another reminder of the saying "don't judge a book by its cover" and don't prejudge what you know nothing about.
Boyle epitomizes everything about dreaming a dream. She sung the song that was named those very words, but more than that, she acted out or participated in her dream that night by doing what she did on stage. All I can say is well done Susan Boyle.
It was a simple dream. To sing in front of and wow a large audience. Listen carefully to what she says when she speaks to the judges then take the time to listen to her sing - even if you have heard it before. There's method behind this believe me, but before you go, watch the video then return here, because there's more.....
Video # 1
Do we all have dreams? Who knows!, but as sure as the sun sets every day we will hopefully continue to strive for something - to keep going in this busy world we live in.
I would personally like to ask all of you take the time to view the second Susan Boyle Youtube video - the one below, after you have seen the first one. It will show you a huge change that has overcome this woman who had a dream.
You will immediately see how this meek lady followed her dreams and the amazing changes that took place during that undertaking. Maybe at the end you will understand why I was so impressed and impacted by her and why I wrote this out of character blog for our readership.
In the epilogue to this blog, I would just like to say that it is truly amazing that such a drastic transformation of one person has taken place.
Susan is now over 50 years old. Today, she has an estimated net worth of over $33,000,000. I would say at least one of HER dreams has been fulfilled. It wasn't about the money though. That came after she walked awkwardly onto that stage and gave the performance she did in pursuit of her dream. How brave. How wonderful.
Before we bring this blog to a close, may we say how much we have appreciated your feedback. Many of you have sent us personal emails of support and words of encouragement for us on our journeys some, even saying how much they enjoy reading our blogs.
In this shorter than normal version, all I can say is that Vancouver Island and Panama are still there on our bucket list. Then where too? Well, Let's say we have a dream but we aren't making that public until later on because it is more complicated than the other journeys we have undertaken.
Once the plans for the next adventure are made and finalized we will be sure to let our readers know in a timely fashion what the next part of our journey will be.
In closing, we would like to say God bless you all. Most of all, stay safe and...... don't forget to dream those dreams. Just like Susan Boyle, you never know what will happen until you embark on that journey.
Tomorrow the adventure will continue as we depart for our Nevada home for the next four months and we prepare to hand over our most treasured possession to new owners. It will give us an opportunity to plan out our next adventure to Vancouver Island in March.
Until our next blog. Adios Amigos.
Ken and Donna Carter.
I would personally like to ask all of you take the time to view the second Susan Boyle Youtube video - the one below, after you have seen the first one. It will show you a huge change that has overcome this woman who had a dream.
You will immediately see how this meek lady followed her dreams and the amazing changes that took place during that undertaking. Maybe at the end you will understand why I was so impressed and impacted by her and why I wrote this out of character blog for our readership.
Video # 2
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| Susan Boyle - Today |
Susan is now over 50 years old. Today, she has an estimated net worth of over $33,000,000. I would say at least one of HER dreams has been fulfilled. It wasn't about the money though. That came after she walked awkwardly onto that stage and gave the performance she did in pursuit of her dream. How brave. How wonderful.
Before we bring this blog to a close, may we say how much we have appreciated your feedback. Many of you have sent us personal emails of support and words of encouragement for us on our journeys some, even saying how much they enjoy reading our blogs.
In this shorter than normal version, all I can say is that Vancouver Island and Panama are still there on our bucket list. Then where too? Well, Let's say we have a dream but we aren't making that public until later on because it is more complicated than the other journeys we have undertaken.
Once the plans for the next adventure are made and finalized we will be sure to let our readers know in a timely fashion what the next part of our journey will be.
In closing, we would like to say God bless you all. Most of all, stay safe and...... don't forget to dream those dreams. Just like Susan Boyle, you never know what will happen until you embark on that journey.
Tomorrow the adventure will continue as we depart for our Nevada home for the next four months and we prepare to hand over our most treasured possession to new owners. It will give us an opportunity to plan out our next adventure to Vancouver Island in March.
Until our next blog. Adios Amigos.
Ken and Donna Carter.
