From the Deck to the Page #8
Card Category: Dream: Reflect on hopes and goals
Card Message to Ponder from the Mindful Souls – ‘Soul Bridges’ deck: Share a dream you had to let go of and how you’ve found peace.
There’s a unique moment in life when we realize a dream we’ve cherished for years no longer fits into who we are becoming. It’s not a moment of failure—it’s a moment of recognition. Like outgrowing a favorite childhood sweater, we discover that what once wrapped us in comfort now constrains our movement.
I’ve had a few of those moments myself—times when I had to step back and ask, “Is this still my path?”
For much of my early life, I dreamt of being on stage, dancing or singing, in front of a crowd. The excitement I felt imagining myself under the spotlight was contagious, and I thought that’s where I belonged. But my stage fright was overwhelming, and I quickly learned that public performance wasn’t as magical as it had seemed. Then came the injuries—lots of them—none of which were related to any dance class I had taken. In fact, I found myself in constant pain from injuries that seemed to come from just being an active child, which was frustrating and disheartening.
Over time, I had to let go of that dream of being a performer. But it didn’t mean I had to stop loving dance and music. They just became personal joys—something that filled me with peace rather than pressure, not a future I sought to pursue.
I also harbored a dream of becoming a veterinarian, fascinated by animals and driven to help them. But as I considered the years of schooling, the emotional toll of the job, and the long hours, I realized that path wasn’t as simple as it once seemed. I felt the weight of the commitment, and soon, the dream I had once imagined began to lose its appeal. I knew I would be a caregiver, but perhaps not in the way I had initially envisioned. Letting go of that image of myself in a white coat, tending to animals, was bittersweet, but I did so with a sense of peace, trusting that there were other ways for me to make a difference.
The Dream That Endures
Even though I’ve let go of these dreams, there’s one dream that has stayed with me throughout my life: the dream of becoming a writer. The dream of sharing stories that touch hearts, provoke thought, and bring people together is something I still hold onto, though it looks different than I imagined when I was younger. Writing has been my constant—my true calling—and it continues to guide me, even as the definition of “fame” and success evolves. Fame is no longer the marker of success; instead, it’s the joy and fulfillment of writing from the heart, knowing that my words have meaning, even if they don’t reach millions.
But here’s what I’ve learned about dreams that endure versus dreams that transform: the persistent ones aren’t necessarily better or more “real.” Sometimes a dream sticks around not because it’s our destiny, but because we haven’t yet had the courage to examine whether it still serves us. Other times, a dream that seems to fade was actually preparing us for something we couldn’t yet imagine.
The Archaeology of Abandoned Dreams
What fascinates me is how our discarded dreams don’t simply disappear—they become the sediment upon which new dreams are built. My performance dream taught me about connecting with audiences, even if not from a stage. My veterinary aspirations revealed my desire to heal and nurture, qualities that now infuse my writing and relationships in ways I never expected.
Perhaps the dreams we abandon aren’t failures at all, but rather teachers. They show us what we thought we wanted, help us discover what we actually need, and often reveal skills and passions we didn’t know we possessed. The stage fright that ended my performance dreams also taught me empathy for others who struggle with visibility and vulnerability—themes that now appear in my writing.
The Uncomfortable Space Between Dreams
There’s something we rarely talk about: the liminal space between letting go of one dream and embracing another. It’s uncomfortable, this place where we’re no longer who we thought we’d become but not yet who we’re meant to be. Society pressures us to always know our direction, to have a plan, to be pursuing something. But what if the not-knowing is where the real growth happens?
In that uncertain space, we’re forced to confront deeper questions: What do we value when external validation is stripped away? What brings us joy when no one is watching? What would we pursue if we knew we couldn’t fail—or more importantly, if we knew failure was guaranteed?
When Dreams Become Prisons
Sometimes our dreams, especially the ones we’ve held longest, become less about authentic desire and more about identity preservation. We cling to them because letting go feels like admitting we were wrong about ourselves. But what if being wrong about ourselves is actually a sign of growth rather than failure?
The most liberating realization might be this: we are allowed to change our minds about our own lives. We’re allowed to want different things at thirty than we wanted at thirteen. We’re allowed to discover that what looked like destiny was actually just one possible path among many.
The Ripple Effect of Released Dreams
Letting go of old dreams doesn’t mean we’re giving up on ourselves—it means we’re making room for the dreams that align more closely with the person we’re becoming. There’s peace in knowing that the life we’re living is one we get to co-create, and it’s not tied to past versions of ourselves. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to be defined by one dream or goal. As we grow, so do our dreams.
But here’s what’s even more interesting: when we release a dream with grace rather than bitterness, we often give others permission to do the same. Our willingness to evolve becomes a quiet invitation for others to examine their own paths without shame.
The Paradox of Letting Go
Sometimes, we need to let go of something that doesn’t serve us anymore to make space for something new. And in that space, we often find peace, fulfillment, and clarity about who we are and what we’re meant to do. There’s a freedom in that release.
Yet here’s the paradox: the act of letting go often reveals what was truly worth holding onto. When I released my grip on performance and veterinary medicine, my grasp on writing became stronger, more intentional, more authentic. It was as if I had been trying to hold too many things at once, and only by opening some fingers could I truly grasp what belonged in my hands.
Living in the Questions
Perhaps the most profound shift isn’t in the specific dreams we choose, but in our relationship with dreaming itself. Instead of demanding that our dreams provide certainty and linear progress, what if we allowed them to be more like conversations with our future selves? What if we held them lightly enough that they could transform without breaking?
The dreams we carry forward and those we leave behind are both part of our story. They’re chapters, not the entire book. And the most interesting stories are the ones where the protagonist is brave enough to let the plot surprise them.
Reflection for Readers:
Have you had to let go of a dream that no longer served you? How did you make peace with that release?
Which dreams are you still holding onto, and how do they reflect the person you’re becoming?
How has your idea of success or fulfillment shifted as you’ve grown?
What might you discover about yourself if you held your current dreams more lightly?
Is there a dream you’re clinging to more out of habit or identity than genuine desire?
Theresa
Flexible Being
Empowering Your Journey to Healing, Clarity, and Self-Discovery.
I thank you for being here. If you enjoyed this post, there’s plenty more where that came from, everything from soulful healing tips to playful prompts and real conversations about life.
Find me and connect today. I want to know your story:
Email: theresa@flexiblebeing.com
Website: www.flexiblebeing.com
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@flexiblebeing
Theresa Martinez-Shapiro
Hello! I am Theresa Martinez-Shapiro; Wife to Robert. Founder of Flexible Being. A Master Reiki Therapist, Certified Oracle Guide, Spiritual Mentor/Guide, Intuitive Empath, Coach, and Educator. I am a fur mom to 3 cats and 1 dog – Sonny, Patches, Ryelee, and Winnie. We currently live and practice in Stockton, California. We operate three businesses – Shapiro Holistic Health and Chiropractic, Fusion Health APC, and Synergy Health MSO, where we seek to improve and change the lives of our patients and those we have the privilege of crossing paths with. My healing and mentoring journey began around 5 years old when I discovered that I was put on this planet to help others. I knew I was different, unique, and gifted. I did not see the world the same way everyone else did, and recognized I was meant to do so much more. I began to research, spending a lot of time reading & asking a lot of questions to anyone that wanted to share stories about their life experiences. I am a dreamer and had a unique relationship with the dream world. My very real, vivid & lucid dreams began turning into out-of-body experiences and unexplained occurrences. I began doing my own dream interpretations to look for patterns & a new way of deciphering life. Family members were part of many different religions, so I was educated in Catholicism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, and Native American culture & beliefs. Along the way, I took up multiple mentors that cultivated my growth and expansion of my gifts, allowing me to focus on my potential and purpose. As an adult, coworkers were unloading their life stories, internal secrets, and things that had not been shared or even spoken out loud. I began to share those experiences with my aunt & Reiki Master/Teacher, Carmen. In 2012, Carmen told me, “I think you are ready to walk the path I always knew you were meant to walk”. That saying began my obsessive journey into Reiki, Spirituality, Psychology, Intuition and Psychic gifts, Meditation and Mindfulness, Past Lives, Consciousness, Energy Medicine, Mysteries of the Universe, Moon and Sun cycles, Astrology, Numerology, Oracle Cards, Shamanism, & so much more. My journey has helped me to assist patients, clients, families, and friends discover who they have been, who they are, and who they want to become. I am expanding my reach and educating others by authoring Musings of a Flexible Being, and I look forward to sharing my journey with you. Thank you! Theresa Martinez-Shapiro Flexible Being Website: www.flexiblebeing.com Socials: Facebook: @flexiblebeingonline Instagram:@theresamartinezshapiro Instagram: @flexiblebeing
