Earlier this year, I was sitting on the beach with my then six-year-old niece. We were watching her sister and cousin shrieking and boogie-boarding, catching some pretty cool (in both senses) Dunedin waves.
Miss 6 was a little despondent, having been unceremoniously dumped by one of those waves. So there we were, hanging out together, making leisurely sand art with whatever we could lay our hands on. (I was disheartened too, having neglected to bring useful beach stuff such as a bucket and spade).
To cheer ourselves up, we started describing our dream houses.
Miss 6: OK…mine would have a really big bedroom. Huge. Big enough for all my friends to stay.
Me: Cool!
Miss 6: Bigger than this beach!
Me: The whole house? Or your room?
Miss 6: My room. All mine! My friends could stay forever.
(We sat in silence for a minute. No doubt she was imagining a lifelong slumber party. I was wondering how this would go down with the rest of her household.)
Miss 6: What about your house?
Me: It would have an amazing kitchen. A beautiful garden, but with someone else doing all the hard work. What else would yours have?
Miss 6: An indoor gym, with trampolines.
Me: Oh wow! Mine would have a swimming pool… and definitely a spa.
Miss 6: Oh yes a swimming pool. And mine might have a beach! And an ice-skating rink!
Me: Awesome!
Miss 6: And a pizza parlour….and a Chinese restaurant…and a pony farm…
Me: Oh wow, you’re really getting into this.
Miss 6: …and a library. And a museum. And you know the best thing?
Me: There’s more? It’s already sounding amazing! What else?
Miss 6: Santa and his elves would live there. ALL THE TIME!
You know what I realised at that moment? It is time for me to DREAM BIGGER.
I love that uncensored capacity of children to fantasize. Somewhere along the line, this gets tempered by frustrations and disappointments which are part of the adulthood package. I’m going to cherish that conversation with my niece forever – she helped me decide that, from now on, my dreams are not going to be constrained by what I BELIEVE is possible. Instead, I’m going to let my imagination steer the boat too. Who knows what could be ahead, when we stop limiting ourselves and dream like a six-year-old?
Ever since that conversation, I’ve let myself dream bigger. And because of this, Nibl is evolving and expanding. Big time. I’ve been hinting at this for a while, and it’s all coming together. I’m about to announce this next Nibl evolution – please stay tuned! I really hope you’ll be part of it.
So who’s with me – are you ready to dream bigger this year? Give me a YES! in the comments below and we’ll do this together.
PS. We did not make that sandcastle.
YES! So excited for you x
Thanks so much Kathy! Glad to hear you are dreaming bigger too!
Yes and yes! I can’t wait, tell me, tell me, tell me;-)!!!
Ha ha Anja I will, I will, I will!!!
Yes Flynn and I are keen to follow your dream too!
Ha ha aren’t you already living the dream?
Sounds exciting- Can’t wait to see what comes next. And thanks for a timely reminder to all of us to dream big! You’re so right, it’s easy to get bogged down in what you think is reality.
So true Jenny, who are we to say what’s possible?
Sounds a damn good plan Nic! From the mouths of our babes….go that darling wee niece! Will be watching this space ??G
Thanks Gay! You must get to have conversations like this all the time.
Too true Nic, often these conversations put things into perspective! ?
Awesome post! Yes! I’m totally with you!
Yes! Timing is perfect! Excited 🙂
Oui, oui, oui!!! Bon voyage. Will be watching with interest.
Yes! Too true- why limit our dreams? Great perspective, I’m with you!
Count me in!! I’m a big picture kinda guy!
YES…it’s overdue!!
Yes!! Thanks for sharing this story: an important reminder for all of us to keep imagining more …
Hi Nic. I can picture Miss G engaging in this discussion with you. It is a great example of what makes being a grandfather of 4 so great. Especially as they live within 10 minutes drive and that I have the time available to play an active role with them. As you so rightly point out, we all can learn so much from young ones.
Love from Dad
Thanks so much Dad! And they are so lucky to have you and mum nearby as well. Those conversations are so precious!
If we don’t start now, then when?? Definitely time!
Absolutely Winnie!
We have to have courage, take risks, and be confident in ourselves and what we can do. Now is always the right time. Later is too late. You can do it Nicola – I’m with you too 🙂
Yay, so glad to hear it Michelle! How lovely to hear from you.
A great conversation – thanks for sharing! and ‘YES’!
This gave me goosebumps! Love it Nicola!
Thanks so much Emily! It was a wonderful conversation.
I remember dreaming like this as a child. Time to bring it back. Time to dream bigger now ?
Absolutely Kelly! Let’s get back to those days of pie-in-the-sky possibilities!