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.