Blowing Bubbles in the Wind: Giving an Idea a Chance at Life

The Birth of an Idea

"I have an idea." I say this a lot. These four words always stop DH in his tracks with a tentative "What?" What follows this sentence could be as simple "Let's go on a picnic"; or more complicated and time consuming like "We should clean out every closet in the house and rearrange all the rooms"; or something as life-changing as starting a blog or a new business.

Regardless, I have many ideas of all shapes and sizes germinating in my brain. Many of them are really good; at least I think so {& so does DH whether he admits it or not}.

They start as little bubbles being blown into the breeze. Most get popped almost immediately. Others drift for a bit, gaining speed and momentum before slamming into a tree branch or landing on the nose of a dog passing by. Only a very few make it through the brambles of trees and shrubs and float out over the water where the wind whips it about this way and that, keeping the little bubble intact and moving forward.

It's these few, but sturdy bubbles that keep hope alive; pump the creative juices through my veins; and give me the confidence to speak the words out loud. These words bring my idea to life and could hold the key to my future or at least bring me closer to the key.

Exposing Your Thoughts

It's amazing how revealing and vulnerable it is to talk to another person about a fabulously fantastic, utterly unbelievably awesome idea. Sharing dreams and goals with another is never easy. It's painless for the person with no investment in the idea to crush it or poke holes in it, which can be devastating for the bubble-blower. And yet, that's exactly what a person with a fabulously fantastic, utterly unbelievably awesome idea should do: share it; heed the advice; and then work out the details, fill the holes and keep going.

If the idea can be stepped on and smashed, it's far better that a friend or colleague, rather than foe do the hole-poking. Somehow there's a little consolation in someone who cares about you to be the one to pop your idea bubbles.

Realizing Dreams

I've always been a dreamer. Some ideas are small and easily obtainable. Other dreams are realized only after years of hard work. And some are still out there bobbing around in the breeze looking for the perfect landing spot to allow rays of sunlight to bounce off into a rainbow of colors.

Some of my proudest moments in my little life have been my law school graduation, passing the bar and being sworn in as an attorney & giving birth to my kids; all of these moments were made possible by little ideas that sprouted into big plans, dreams and goals.

I could have said an idea is like a wave or a seed or a tree or any number of items. Regardless of what I compare it to, some ideas make it off the drawing board; and some don't. But that isn't the point. The point is that I have dared to think it; dared to dream it; dared to share it; and dared to poke holes in it; and then see if it'll still float.

The Scoop

This thought process is what keeps our minds active and free of cobwebs. And my idea might just be the next big thing. Will I succeed? According to Dr. Seuss, it's practically guaranteed, but to what degree is up to me.

Are you a dreamer? Are you willing to put yourself out there and let an idea sprout and take root? Do you cultivate little dreamers? As parents, we should be helping our kids to grow their own ideas and let their dreams take root. Over and out...

Anna

 

 

 

Comments

[Cha Cha]

Oh dear it is hard to put those ideas out there. Then it is hard not to beat yourself up if it is not imediate sucessful. For this reason I think I sometimes am not as good as I should be for my kids. Thank you for giving me a chance to remember the kind of mom I should be.

Cha Cha

[Kelli]

Great post Anna. I like the way you think.

[Anna]

Well, your words on Tues evening inspired it today's motherly advice!

Thanks & thinking of you!

Anna

[Lori Motl]

Anna, I love the pictures you paint in your writing. Miss you all!
Lori