MENU

The Lake of a Thousand Dreams

Mar 29, 2019

Once upon a time in a land not so far away there lived a princess; bright, strong, independent. Her palace overlooked the Lake of a Thousand Dreams, yet she was unable to dream passion, balance, and light-heartedness into her world.

The Princess suffered. One day she would be alive with happiness in what life gave her, the next day dying in hopelessness from what she saw in the world.

This story is about how she found and lived the three-fold dream of passion, balance and lightheartedness no matter what life gave her.  This story is how she became Queen.

~

One morning walking dejectedly along the shore of A Thousand Dreams, she whispered to no one in particular, Please help! What do I need to know to manifest my dreams? 

As the Princess’ cry for help was released, a strong wind approached. She closed her eyes from the whirling dust and when she opened them Water Sprite was in front of her. Smiling knowingly, Water Sprite whispered five words, Watch the water and listen.

The Princess did just this. She spent the rest of the morning sitting on a weathered log inches from the lapping waves of the lake, watching the myriad of things float past her. A twig. A mother duck leading her ducklings. The reflections of luminous clouds.

When she became tired she closed her eyes.  It was then she noticed her thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations:  The confusion she felt towards her younger sister the princess. How her heart ached. The fear of growing older twisting in her stomach.  The wonderment of her precious human body.  The inner smile. The not knowing if she was wise enough to rule. The knowing she was wise enough. One after another each one floated by.

Water Sprite appeared once again and said, You have learned well, my Princess. Here are the Four Thoughts that Manifest Dreams:

This, too, shall pass.
I am not my thoughts.
I am the awareness of my thoughts.
I am the artist of my creation.

The Princess wept with joy! But how to remember these four thoughts throughout each day? Place them on her throne?  Carve them into her favorite tree?  Put them under her pillow?  No.  She needed them with her at all times, otherwise, she knew she would forget.

The Princess then had an Ah-Ha Moment!  She ran excitedly to the village goldsmith with four requests.  At the end of four days the goldsmith brought to the palace four golden rings each engraved with one the Four Thoughts That Manifest Dreams. 

As the Princess slid each ring onto her finger she found her body standing tall, her heart radiating, her wisdom deepening.  The Princess transformed into a Queen.

~Ann-Marie  

Lake of a Thousand Dreams, Abiquiu, New Mexico. Photo by Wendy Wagner.

2 Comments

  1. Vicki Johnson

    I love this metaphoric story. Metaphoric lessons slip by our rational mind into our unconscious and add to our deeper knowing. Story is a powerful medium. thank you Ann Marie. I am enjoying your website and blogs very much.
    vicki

    • VickiRoche

      A wonderful and insightful tale to live by. Our thinking mind can take over all too often. Thank you for sharing this story

More Posts

Testimonials

This class [The Dynamic Trio] is not only something that will help you bring more light into others’ lives but will also be beneficial for your own. The content was priceless and made me a better person.
Milo MiserlianStudent CoachSanta Rosa, CA
Body Electric is great for those that are looking to challenge the automatic responses and default ways of thinking and being. Realizing that the conversation with the body has a different vibration and that it doesn’t always speak quickly is so valuable. Our bodies are a wealth of comfort and wisdom. This class provides tools for starting that dialogue with yourself and with others.
Alicia UpchurchStudent CoachBrooklyn, New York
I love the capacity to be “unique and whole.” In this course, amidst the trauma of coronavirus, I found it was still possible to listen deeply in the moment. So thank you to this class and the life-giving experiences it offered. The course gave me fresh air for both my mind and body.
PCC, MWSC, MCS AlumnaVerona, Italy
This course [Body Electric] gives a wonderful overview of how much the body affects us and how to use that knowledge to help move the coaching process along.
Lisa Matovich-BrookeSenior StudentBillings, MT
The class Right Speech took me beyond the basic coaching skills into higher-level listening and mindfulness skills I now use regularly in my coaching practice and in my life. Meg Hess is a caring and knowledgeable teacher who creates an atmosphere of trust and passion for coaching.
Victoria FontanaCoach, EducatorSpain
This course [Skillful Means] provides the nuts and bolts of how to formulate and execute a coaching session. It was charming, challenging and encouraged me to think critically.
William DrescherStudent CoachMiddleton, WI
S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Becoming The Incredible Coach You Truly Are presented new and experienced coaches the opportunity to learn, apply and refine life-changing skills to better the lives of people. I learned new mindfulness applications that I could immediately apply in my life and roles as a leadership coach and adult educator. I really enjoyed the interaction, meeting new friends, and the freedom of expression. Aloha and mahalo MCS!
Char WilsonCapeesh Consulting
I was reluctant to take this course [Mindful Eating: Mindful Life] as I have struggled with eating disorders since my teens. I didn’t want yet another “eating plan” that would add more clutter to my already busy thoughts about food. I honestly only took the class because it was required for PCC and I came in thinking that maybe I could learn something to help my clients. But honestly, I learned a ton about myself, my thoughts about food and eating, as well as many tools and ideas to use with my clients.
Chelle JohnsonStudent CoachAlbany, Oregon
Ann-Marie is a great coach and instructor. Watching her coach others and myself was a great way to learn the coaching skills. Loved the energy and atmosphere she has created during the course and maintaining the focus on learning and growth of each end every one of us. Fun, playful and full of interaction and great content.
Srdjan VukcevicFounder and CEO, Blue Coach Business TrainingPodgorica, Montenegro
I have never thought of myself a leader. The designation just didn’t resonate, and I thought this class [If Steve Jobs Were Your Coach: Leadership Skills to Thrive] might be an odd fit for me. This class helped me rethink what leadership means to me. I learned that leadership qualities are powerful everyday tools that I can call on to generate energy and shift perspective in any life circumstance! I came away from this course with an array of creative strategies and lenses to choose from, as I meet challenges in my own life and as I work with coaching clients facing their own challenges.
Ilse ThompsonMCS GraduateAuburn, ME