In Gaiman’s Sandman stories, the immortal known as Morpheus rules over the realm of dreams.  We mortals believe that our dreams are our own, as if we possess them.  From the divine view, our dreams are like scripts to a play that we step into briefly.  If we get applause and audience appreciation, the dream may be a staged for many weeks and months. Ultimately, our dreams flow out of our lives, and few of us note their passing.  We have become distracted or perhaps are fascinated with a new dream.

 Joseph Campbell, in his work The Hero with a Thousand Faces, notes that many people hear the call of the hero (the dream) and ignore it.  The call may be refused because one is afraid, too busy, has other duties, or any of a range of issues.  The dream, however, is important to our life journey, and should not be ignored.  The dream may transform us to become leaders of men and to change our world in a positive way.

“Dreams are renewable,” wrote Dr. Dale Turner.  Though we may fear that our dreams have left us, some part of our psyche recalls the hero’s call.  The dream is not entirely ours, however the dream can be accessed again, even if departed.

I let a dream go twenty-five years ago.  I had good reasons: other life interests, and recently married; I knew that my schedule was too full to pursue my doctorate.  I built a business, and earned my black belt.  My son was born; later a daughter.  The love in my family grew. I became vice president, and then the business filed for bankruptcy. Someday, I thought, I will return to my dream . . .

The dream faded from my attention.  I once thought about how I would return to school and become Dr. Steve, a man of research and ideas. Ten years ago, I barely remembered this dream.

Then my wife finished her doctorate in music, and the pace of my business slowed down.  I thought, “Perhaps this is my time.”  I made it happen.  Fulfilling the dream took another five years of my life. “No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us....to be born,” said Dale Turner.

Look within, and smile at the possibilities.  Your dreams may belong to all of the world, nevertheless you have been invited on the stage. Even if you do not know how the dream will be achieved, you can find the resources to make it happen.  You may be changed forever as a result of your dream fulfillment.