In most cases, I would confirm that I am definitely not a follower.  However, I recently found myself in the midst of some serious self-evaluation.  I wondered: “Am I really following my dreams or am I chasing them.”

As I look at the difference, to follow means that the dream is real and I own it.  But to chase a dream says that on some level I’m not really convinced that it’s obtainable.  As I follow dreams/goals that are decades or days old, I feel empowered to know that there is already a connection to that dream. For instance, I shared with a friend recently that I am going to Paris in April. There, the goal has been verbalized and now I follow my path to fulfilling that dream.  Although I have been to Paris several times, each time I visit increases the value of the first dream I had many years ago of seeing that lovely city.

While visiting New Orleans last Spring, we toured the city from one of those double-decker buses. There was a rain shower that made the floor and steps somewhat slippery, so the tour guide began to chant: “Take your time, watch your step.”  My friend and I joked about how he said those words, but the message began to resonate on a different level. TAKE YOUR TIME, WATCH YOUR STEP.

Following my dreams rather than chasing them allows me to take my time and watch my step. It’s not a matter of being overly cautious either. The less slips and falls, the more dreams I can add to my ever growing list of dreams still to follow.