Page 30 - ChildArt_Magazine_Oct-Dec2015

The Dream Which is

Bigger Than I Am

by SHONA HAMMOND BOYS

What is a dream? I like to define it as something we
carry with us in our minds. We believe it, and it drives us.

If we start helping our dream by doing things to take us
in the direction of our dreams, we begin to exercise our
talents and energy toward a vision. Dreams and visions
are natural for humans because we are a creative species
driven to explore, invent, discover. We each have our
own ideas to follow and dreams to create.

The WCF attendees had dreams ranging from having a Ms. Boys with the New Zealand Arts Olympiad winners
wonderful festival to becoming an architect. Together, and ICAF board member Portia Davidson
they represented just a small fraction of the millions of
possible art dreams. dreams? Think about the people around you. Maybe
your family, teachers, or friends can help. They might
But a dream is just the beginning. If we only dream have good advice, or they might be able to give you
about an idea and do not act upon it by taking steps, information about other resources you can turn to.
even little ones, toward making it a reality, then our Look for clubs, camps, or schools that can support your
dreams can die. Sometimes, we are not sure we are on dream. Reach out to businesses or other organizations
the right track. Like snails peeping from their shells, we that might help with support, advertising, or by giving
try to find a path to follow. Obstacles may keep us from you an opportunity to apply the skills you are developing
getting very far the first time, but we learn as we go. We as part of your dream.
learn to keep our dream with us no matter how long it
may take. Big dreams are those that may take an entire Think about what you need to keep your journey on
lifetime to achieve. course for success. Dreams may guide us toward a goal,
but it is up to us to map out a path for getting there.
So where can you turn for support with your dream? Baby steps can lead us in the right direction, breaking
Festival participants were happy to share their ideas a large vision into a manageable process. However big
with each other, and those conversations allowed them your dream is, the path to getting there is made up of
to expand and refine their dreams. Just getting to smaller steps, persistence, hard work, and support. 3
Washington was part of a dream which had come true
and helped them to see bigger possibilities ahead. Who
can you share your ideas with to help nurture your
Shona Hammond Boys is founder of

New Zealand Art House Foundation.
30 ChildArt | October 2015