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
    Vicki Johnson on 04/02/2019 at 12:54 pm

    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
      VickiRoche on 04/05/2019 at 8:03 am

      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

Right Speech with Meg [Hess, PCC, D. Min] is a wonderful class. I am grateful for the many communication tools I learned throughout the course. Meg as an instructor brings uplifting energy to the class, keeping the discussions engaging and memorable
Cassandra CabreraStudent CoachBoynton Beach, FL
More Testimonials »
The Dynamic Trio program was wonderful. I learned so much that I have applied right away, and yet the course itself felt light and effortless – perfect conditions for learning. I am taking away a renewed sense of the power of positive psychology and feel more liberated yet grounded in my coaching work. The client imagery and somatic awareness from the practices and applications have been so inspiring and moving. Thank you!
Avalyn LimStudent CoachSingapore
More Testimonials »
Probably the single best course I’ve taken in a decade. The somatic templates and in-course use of them were shared from a place of deep knowing and wisdom. Amazing. The reading and sharing of new practices (for me) has made this whole course one of tapping into an ancient wisdom with simple and real practical use. Thank you!
Gaynor QuilterStudent CoachLeicestershire, United Kingdom
More Testimonials »
The experience of participating in S-T-R-E-T-C-H! was one of the most fulfilling and inspiring in my entire life. The curriculum was approached from A to Z. The mindfulness practices at the beginning of each session, and the recommendations for practices of gratitude, compassion, recognition of our heroes, and action boards had a dimension that made me grow, and expand as a human being. There is always so much space to travel within ourselves, making us more approachable, centered, and focused on what is important in the coaching practice, and by extension, in life. I am very thankful to Mindfulness Coaching School, Ann-Marie, Brittany, Philip, Kelly, and my fellow class students. There is a real community there!
Ruby Orcutt, MHC-P, CASACDerby, NY
More Testimonials »
[Right Speech] was a transformative class for me and Meg Hess was an inspiring and compassionate teacher. I have had an abiding interest in the notion of Right Speech, so I was looking forward to taking this class and curious about how it would unfold. It was very gratifying to see the teachings and practices we learned making a real impact on my listening skills, as well as on my responses to life circumstances and even world events. I am certainly taking away a wider scope of curiosity and the communication and listening tools to more effectively investigate that curiosity, which, in turn, expands the scope of my compassion.
Ilse ThompsonStudent CoachAuburn, Maine
More Testimonials »
Skillful Means is like tilling the soil and planting the seeds for your practice as a coach. This is the literal groundwork that, under Ann Marie’s expert facilitation, allows student coaches to grow into effective partners for their clients.
Liv SyptakACC, M.Ed., MBABreckenridge, CO
More Testimonials »
The Art of Engaged Mindfulness allowed me to become more flexible with my own established meditation practice. I really enjoyed the opportunity to dialogue with fellow coaches interested in deepening their own practice and sharing it with the world.
Melissa ParksPh.D.Burien, WA
More Testimonials »
An in-depth look at why we eat, our habits, and the influences that affect how we eat.
D. Paul WilcoxStudent CoachFountain Valley, CA
More Testimonials »
STRETCH is fun and exciting and got my creative juices flowing. I was surprised at how much I learned about what I needed, and didn’t need to move forward in launching my coaching business. I also gained more clarity on how I want to deliver my message of what I do. Read more
Laura Lamp MCS Student
More Testimonials »
I loved the experiential nature of this class (The Dynamic Trio). I know that the applications being taught can help someone experience powerful breakthroughs… because I experienced powerful breakthroughs!  
Wayne King
More Testimonials »
Accredited Logos

© Copyright 2005 – 2024 Ann-Marie McKelvey | Buddhist Chaplain • Mindfulness, Wellness and Somatic Coach • Psychotherapist • EMDR Consultant