Last night I had a profoundly interesting dream. I hardly ever remember my dreams, or have any awareness of what they might mean, but this one feels right on target. I woke up several times pondering it, and then fell back asleep into the same dream. It began with someone (completely unclear who “they” were) handing me an assignment, which included several parts. It consisted of a large stack of papers, with paperclips holding the various sections together, although there was some confusion over which set of papers went with which part of the assignment. Along with this collection of papers there was a container full of the material which would be necessary to complete the tasks. I spent a bit of time trying to sort and arrange the papers, eventually putting them into separate folders, along with trying to figure out what to do with the provided material. At some point I finally realized that the “assignment” I was being asked to complete was to put together (create) several different aspects of my life – a place to live (a home), relationships, my inner life, my outer life, and the environment (the world) in which all of these various pieces would exist. For a long time all I could do was fret over how I was supposed to accomplish this enormous task. The instructions seemed vague. I wasn’t even sure how to begin, let alone actually finish. It seemed like a school exam, and I would be graded on the quality (the correctness) of the completed product. I was overwhelmed by the thought that I needed to do it perfectly or else I would “fail”. But then at some point I had an “ah ha” moment of clarity that changed everything. There was no “right” or “perfect” way to accomplish this assignment, only the way that I actually did it. In fact, the project would never be completed. It would be an ongoing process. There would be no grade given, only the gift of living the life I was creating. Fretting about it only kept me stuck in a prison of fear and prevented me from even beginning. I have everything necessary to successfully undertake this assignment. I only need to begin. And then I woke up, both metaphorically and literally. Wherever it is that dreams come from, there is wisdom to be found there. I’ve been working on this particular “lesson” for a long time, and progress has been made, but I still find myself stuck in that prison of fear from time to time. This dream seems to be offering me yet another key with which to unlock the door. I have a quote posted near my computer. I don’t remember where I first came across it, and most of the time I don’t even notice it, but moments ago, as I was finishing this bit of reflective writing, I glanced over and saw it. “Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it! Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now!” I am alive and awake, and I have a life to continue building. This seems like a good moment to step once again into the light and begin!