If you have a dream, it is very important to you. It is the first thing you think of as you begin your day, it crosses your mind several times during the day, and you think about it as you drift off to sleep at night. You plan your day around achieving a small goal that will get you closer to achieving your dream.

For example, perhaps you want to be a contestant on a game show. You count your money and prepare for it. You go shopping for the perfect suit to wear on the big day. The suit fits perfectly and looks great on you, emphasizing your eyes. You hang it up in plain sight, so that it will be a daily reminder of the big day coming up. You do not want to overeat between now and then. Your game plan right now is to run a mile every day and cut back on the junk food.

You imagine that the floor that you are standing on is the stage floor. You feel the hard wood beneath your feet and the hot lights beating down upon you. Your Mary Janes make noise as you walk, the noise echoing through the room. All eyes are on you. This is your moment.

What about your family? Certainly they know about your dream. How do they feel about it? What have they said? Have they tried to discourage you? Have they said that your money and time would be better spent on other things? Don't let them discourage you. This is your dream, not theirs. They are pursuing their dreams, and there is no reason why you cannot pursue yours. Persevere. Stay focused on your dream.

If financial limitations stand in the way of you making your dream come true, work on changing your situation. Get a job, or start a business. The money will not magically appear overnight. After some time, with proper management of your finances, however, you may find that you have the money that you need.

Perhaps you are standing in the way of your own dream. Perhaps you have the money and the knowledge that you need, but your stage fright stops you from going ahead with what you have always wanted to do. Get past that. Imagine what your life would be like if you never did what you had always wanted to do. Imagine the regret that you would feel. Live--now.