Dream a little dream

We all have dreams. We start from when we are small. If you are a little girl, you fantasize about princesses and wedding dresses. Boys; fantasize on superhero’s and action characters. We dream; we plan the wedding, we even design the dress. Toy stores build on these dreams. They sell dolls, action figures, play houses, Barbie wedding resorts. Whatever your dreamy child is looking for; it is available for them to buy.

We teach our children that anything is possible in life, as long as you believe and do not give up on what you want. We tell them practice makes perfect and that they can be anything or anyone they want to be. We ask them to set their minds to what they really want, and it will come true. We encourage them to do better in school, or in hockey, or in dance, because we want them to feel confident in everything they do. We let them know that they can become doctors, scientists or that they can walk on the moon. We want them to know that they can achieve anything they want, because that’s what parents do.

This past Friday we witnessed the opening of a new Olympics; 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. The event started off on a sour note. 1 of the athletes lost his life during a practice run. He waited 4 years to compete in the world’s race to the best, and he died trying. There are athletes from all over the world. They are all gathered to show off their talent and their trained skill. These people have been practicing for this event their whole lives. Some are new to the event, some are veterans. There is nothing greater to see, than a person doing what they love to do. These athletes train and practice every single day to be perfect; to make it to the Olympics. Their goal; Go for Gold!

It all goes back to our childhood. We have classes in elementary school when a parent comes in and explains what they do for a living. We may think it is excited or we may think it is definitely something we do not want to do. My son wants to be an NHL player. He is convinced he will be playing in the professional league of hockey. My daughter; she dreams of being a hairdresser..lol. Yes, that is exactly what she wants to be. Who am I to tell her not to follow her dreams?

A dream is what you make it. You can wish of a new home, a new car, or to be a parent. You can practice every day for something you want badly. You can study everyday for a professional position you want. The world is an open venue. It is a place where you can have everything you set out to get. There are no boundaries and there are no limits. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little “extra”. This is what we teach our growing children. This is what the teachers teach our growing children. This is what the coaches teach our growing children.

Go for what you want, and you will not be disappointed. To quote Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” This February there are hundreds of young hopefuls, going for their ultimate dream to materialize. They have fought hard, fought right, but the point is..they fought to get to the Olympics. These individuals have the honour of representing their country and what an honour that is. None of these athletes would have ever been there if they did not set a goal in their mind. If they did not work hard to get there, and if many years before they did not dream a little dream.
That’s my peace today!

Chicken Burgers
1 pound ground chicken
1/2 white onion chopped
4 tbsp chopped parsley
1 egg
1/4 cup bbq sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl, mix all the ingredients. Flatten and shape into hamburger. Pan fry with oil or bbq for about 10 minutes each side (no longer pink).