Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change—this is the rhythm of living. Out of our overconfidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.

~ Bruce Barton (1886-1967)

The aroma of fresh-baked oatmeal muffins and steaming coffee filled Sheila's kitchen where we met for her Saturday morning coaching sessions. The muffins were a favorite family recipe handed down from her great grandmother. Yet eight years earlier, Sheila could not have walked into her kitchen without help. She could not have made coffee or baked a batch of delicious muffins.

An auto crash had interrupted Sheila's life with long months of therapy. At first, it was difficult for her to remember how to do many ordinary tasks. "The worst part," she said, "was not knowing if I would get my life back."

Sheila had worked as a waitress for many years, saving and investing much of her income for the future. She had always hoped to own her own cafe'.

Sheila's recovery was slow, difficult, and successful. She was able to return to the work she loved. Now, the cafe' where she worked had closed its doors. However, Sheila would no longer be denied the dream of her own cafe'. She bought the building and made plans to re-open it.

I had been one of Sheila's therapists after her accident. "You're a real go-getter!" I said with a chuckle, recalling her strong will to recover. "Remember how you struggled after the accident? Now you're on top of your dreams!"

"Yeah," she laughed. "Like they say, life isn't a rehearsal. We just live once, and it's a blessing that I'm alive. This is something I have to do, and I don't think that I ever really lost hope."

Guess what is included on Sheila's breakfast menu. That's right. Her great grandmother's oatmeal muffins!

Sheila demonstrated the principles we learn for achieving success. Her undying hope was a decisive factor in her resiliency. She hoped, visualized her future, and allowed success to come to her. Even after life dealt her a difficult hand, hope kept her dreams alive.

Hope is like a dream-fire burning in the background of our minds. We start with hope. Where there is even a spark of hope, faith lives and dream-fires burn. We keep visualizing a brighter future. And when our desire can burn no brighter, we do the most important thing: begin turning our dreams into reality.

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