I loved the sound of our two typewriters; it felt like we were in a band, making a strange kind of music.~Lily King (From Euphoria)

The other day I checked out of the Dollar Tree with glass cleaner for my car. Pollen now coats most everything in Charleston that's left outside. The saffron-colored dust is a beast. I bought a pack of beef jerky, too, as a reward for the effort it would take to wipe down my car windows. As I placed the items in my cloth bag, the cashier asked, "What does your shirt say?" I'd forgotten what I was wearing and looked down. "Oh, it says Dream Chasers." "I like it," she said. I like the t-shirt too. A good friend gave it to me. We both love the slogan. While I cleaned my car, I thought about the dream I'd had the night before. I wondered if the term Dream Chasers might contain some synchronicity with what I thought the dream could symbolize.

In the dream, I rode on a train that meandered through lush green hills. I noted on the horizon a snow-capped mountain range, clouds wreathing the slopes. I thought that I'd like to go explore the mountains, find a path upward. Yet I didn't make an effort to get off at the stop that would take me the mountains. I thought there may be another stop along the way. Instead, the last and final stop was at an amusement park. Initially, I felt curious about the attractions and rides. But then realized I couldn't get back to the train that might drop me off at the location where I could explore the mountains. I was stuck amidst the distractions of the midway. I felt adrift.

The next day I attended an artist's group sponsored by my church. The group is open to artists of all genres--poets, painters, knitters, writers, photographers and dancers, etc. The theme for the group was "Connect and Dream." We went around the circle and shared the artistic dreams we had personally, as well as the dreams we hoped to share with the church and our community. I thought of my dream in the night watches as I listened to the people in the circle. These were folks who got off the train to explore the mountains. These were the persons that were managing cultural distractions in such a way to move them upward. I think I could label these individuals as "Dream Chasers."  It felt encouraging to be mingling with their ilk. Listening to their dreams helped to validate my own.

For me, getting "stuck inside the midway" is something I'm prone to as I contend with the chaos, contention and banter of our culture. My artistic dreams can become covered with yellow pollen. A good way to clear away the dust is to find another person or persons who are dream chasers too. 

It takes courage to risk getting off the train and heading for the mountains. Let's collectively not give up. Let's collectively listen to the dreams God places on our hearts. He is for us. And your reward for rediscovering your dreams will be much more encouraging than eating a pack of beef jerky! In my next post I'll share about some ways I've found to help prevent becoming adrift when pursuing artistic dreams. Until then, think of your dreams and who might be a safe person to share them with. I'd love to hear about them too. Sending love.