Dream List Media

Seattle Post Intelligencer travel blogger, Beth Whitman, wrote about Dream List for the Traveler:

Travel Gear: Dream List for the Traveler

I'm a list-girl. I keep lists of everything and have them sorted out on my laptop in spreadsheets, in a notebook I carry to every meeting and in my phone. I really believe that you need to write down your tasks and goals in order to fully realize them. It doesn't matter if it's a reminder to pick up birdfood from the pet store or a goal to get yourself to Papua New Guinea.

That's why when I saw the Dream List series of books, I was pretty darned excited because these are right up my alley.

I found out about them when I spoke at Village Books in Bellingham a couple of weeks ago. A gal who attended my talk, Melissa Borghorst, started Dream List Media and is obviously as excited about travel as I am and equally as eager to encourage others to travel.

Melissa produces a series of books meant to inspire us to pursue our wildest dreams. Her first two books are Dream List for My Amazing Life and Dream List for the Traveler.

Each book begins with a brief set of instructions - a simple step by step guide to get you started realizing your dreams. It's followed by several pages where you can actually list out your dreams, providing a little check box for each one you've completed. There's lots of space for photos and journaling and, finally, contacts, for those wonderful people you meet on the road.

The biggest treat you can give yourself this holiday season is some time to daydream about your travels. Where IS it that you want to go and how will you get there? Grab a cuppa tea, a Dream List for the Traveler book and start making plans.

The Dream List books are available on Amazon, at the Dream List Media website and at bookstores in Washington, Alaska and Oregon.

Travel Well!

Beth

Beth Whitman has logged hundreds of thousands of miles around the globe as a contemporary Wanderer: combining her love for travel with volunteer work, adventure trips, travel writing and business.

Her travel articles and photos have appeared in books, newspapers and magazines including BMW Magazine and Sound Rider as well as online magazines including Transitions Abroad and Perceptive Travel. She is the recipient of the Joe Christian Award for excellence in writing and has been teaching travel workshops for more than 15 years.

Beth is the author of the Wanderlust and Lipstick series of travel guides for women, the editor of Wanderlust and Lipstick and the travel blogger for the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dream List Media
Phone: (360) 676-6718
info@dreamlistmedia.com
www.dreamlistmedia.com

When I turn on the TV, open a newspaper or hop online, all I see and read are the negative stories about our horrible economic situation.  This news is very important, as it affects the lives of every American, but I’m beginning to wonder—are we focusing on it too much? 

We all need balance in our lives.  Unfortunately, right now many are weighed down by the discouraging news.  I’m beginning to see people’s dreams crushed by the economy and many losing sight of their dreams.  So I decided to write this article to begin balancing lives with positivity.  My goal is to give you and every American a little HOPE—hope that your dreams can and will come true. 

Don’t have any money to achieve your dreams?  Don’t let that stop you!  I am living proof that you truly can accomplish your dreams with little or no money.  I’ve done it time and time again, and you can too.  Here are a few of my tips and secrets to help you achieve your dreams in today’s economy.

1) Focus on the Positives 
The best way to lift your spirits is to focus on the positive aspects in your life.  While growing up, each night we’d go around the dinner table with stories from our day.  But before we could begin, we had to answer one question:  what good thing happened today?  At the time I’d roll my eyes when it was my turn, but as an adult I look back and see the value in this.  It trains your brain to think positive, which brings more happiness into your life.  So the next time you sit down for dinner or breakfast, or your meal on-the-go, stop and ask yourself:  what good thing happened today?

Another great way to focus on the positives is to surround yourself with cheerful and positive things.  I like to place quotes or pictures around my desk, so I have something that inspires me throughout the day.  You could also try watching a TV show that sends a positive message or even pick up a book or magazine to read a positive story.

2) Remember Past Achievements
When I’m faced with a challenge or if I’m feeling blue, I like to reminisce about the great achievements in my life.  It reminds me that I’ve overcome obstacles and succeeded in the past, which means I can surely do it again.

Flip through old photo albums and journals to reminisce on the good ol’ days.  Better yet create a book about your lifetime accomplishments.  Dream List Photo Journals are a great way to capture your past achievements all in one place and one book.  (Ok, so I’m doing a little self promotion.  Since this is my blog, that’s allowed, right?)  

3) Give Yourself Permission to Dream
This is the most crucial piece of advice I could give you.  Stephen Leacock once said, “It may be those who do most, dream most.”  This quote pretty much sums it up.  If you don’t give yourself permission to dream, then you’ll never achieve your dreams.  So what if we’re faced with some difficult financial times right now.  It doesn’t hurt to write down your dreams—both big and small. 

Take some time right now, to start creating your dream list.  What would you like to do?  Where would you like to go?  What would you like to see?  Who would you like to meet?  Dream Big!

4) Be Aware of Opportunities
 Once you write your dream list, you’ll start noticing more opportunities related to your dream.  If the time is right, jump on it.  Don’t let those opportunities pass you by!

5) Start Simple
Boost your confidence by starting with a simple dream first, that you can achieve with little time and money.  When you’re able to check off a couple items, you’ll notice your spirits rise and your heart will feel more fulfilled.

Another way to start simple is to break your big, complicated dreams into smaller steps and goals.  This is important for achieving any dream at any time in your life.  I guarantee you’ll feel less overwhelmed if you focus on small steps.  Before you know it, you’ll find yourself accomplishing your dreams.

6) Get Creative
Here comes the fun part…well at least for me it’s fun.  Try to find creative ways to achieve your dreams with little or no money.  Believe me, anything is possible.  You just need to think outside the box.  Many of the dreams I’ve accomplished happened with little or no $$.  Here’s how:

Trade Your Products or Services:  If you don’t have the money for your dream, why not see if you can trade your products or services?

Work in Exchange:  If you don’t have the money and you don’t have products or services to trade, see if you can work in exchange.  Even if you work fulltime, you may be able to find a couple hours each week to work in exchange for your dream.

Find Free Services:  We are very fortunate right now.  We have an amazing tool that has never been available in our history—until now.  It’s called the internet.  Jump online and do a little searching on your dream topic.  You’ll be surprised to find out how many products and services are free online. 

Network:  Share your dream list with others who might be able to help you along the way.  You may get tips and connections from others who accomplished your dream.  Join online groups or forums to connect with like-minded people.  Maybe you can join forces to make your dreams come true.

I could write a book about all the different ways to get creative, but I won’t go into them now.  Be on the lookout for future blog posts where I’ll go into a little more detail on getting creative with your dreams.

7) Make It Happen
Don’t let the financial crisis crush your dreams.  Tell yourself, I CAN and WILL achieve my dreams.  So stop giving yourself excuses and start making your dreams come true! 

Remember that the economic downturn is only temporary.  Be aware of what is happening, but don’t let it get you down.  I’ll leave you with a quote that I read quite often when I’m faced with challenges.  It gets me pumped to overcome my obstacles and I hope it inspires you too.

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
~ Albert Einstein

I came across a wonderful children’s book that encourages kids to dream called, The Land of Smaerd by Andrea Von Botefuhr and Angela Russell, and illustrated by Bryn Barnard.

“The Land of Smaerd (dreams spelled backwards), is a story about a world where all things are possible; a place where dreams live while they are waiting to come true.
Through simple, yet powerful ideas designed to cultivate imagination, Smaerd beckons us to a place where we are free to soar...where children are invited to express their creativity, where dreams are allowed to thrive.

As it reflects the mysterious source from which all of creation emerges, The Land Of Smaerd becomes an enchanting metaphor for the wondrous world within the heart and soul of every dreamer.” Taken from The Land of Smaerd’s website.

My favorite part of the book is the ending, “Remember, no dreams are impossible, to big or too small.  Any dream can come true…any dream at all!”

If you dream of traveling abroad or learning a foreign language, read the blog post by Todd on iExplore.  He lists a few online resources he used to learn French in preparation for his trip to France.

You can also find 8 other free online language resources at BraveNewTraveler.

Bonne chance!

I not only love Taylor Swift’s music, but I also love her success story.  She’s a teenager who has become a top country music artist because she followed her dream and never gave up. 

You can read her amazing success story on her website: www.TaylorSwift.com or you can watch a clip from the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

I came across an article on the Herald Net website about an interesting book for Science Dreamers, Guidebook for the Scientific Traveler: Visiting Astronomy and Space Exploration Sites Across America by Duane S. Nickell.

So you’ve seen my dream list, but many have been asking…what have you already crossed off your dream list?  Here are a few things that I’ve crossed off, both big and small. 

Places: Italy: Rome, Venice, Burano, Cinque Terre, France: Paris, Antibes, Rennes, Spain: Barcelona, Germany: Bacharach, Switzerland:  Luzern, Interlaken, UK: London, Oxford, Penzance, Australia: Sydney, Cairns, Mexico: Cancun, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Canada:  Vancouver B.C., Jamaica, USA: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Vermont, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Boston, New York, Hawaii, Oklahoma, National Parks:  Mount Rainer, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde
**Hiked and camped in many of the states and National Parks listed above**

Adventure:  Skydiving, river rafting, rock climbing, hot air balloon ride, swam with dolphins, rode on a rollercoaster, rode horses on the beach, biking along the Rhine River in Germany to see castles, surfing in the Pacific Ocean in WA—cold water!, swam in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, saw Chichen Itza, trekked through Antelope Canyon, hiked along the Nepali Coast, rode on a sailboat, kayaked in WA and Jamaica, whale watching in Hawaii, learned to water ski, wake board, snow ski, snow board, snorkeled in Hawaii, Cancun, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Jamaica, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (saw a giant clam, sting ray and sea turtle along with many fish), swam under a waterfall (and even kissed under a waterfall) 

Other Fun Stuff: Went to a Broadway show in NY – The Lion King, a show in London—Les Misérables, and a show in the Sydney Opera House, went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, Space Needle and Empire State Building, planted a vegetable and flower garden…and they lived, won $$ in Vegas—$80, rode in a gondola in Venice, auditioned for a musical for the 1st time and got a part in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, held a tarantula, owned a snake (his name was Harry), graduated from college, bought a home, started a business, published Dream List Photo Journals, wrote an article for a magazine—coming in Dec. 08 in Aspire Magazine, was on TV, had my photography shown in a gallery (see some of my work on Flickr), pet a kangaroo in Australia, rode on a train, met Art Wolfe—one of my favorite photographers

For Others: donated my hair to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths (they make wigs for women with cancer), was a Special Olympics coach, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, passed out food in Seattle to people who were homeless, adopted a dog and cat from a shelter, and volunteered for many other organizations.

Working on:  playing the guitar and ukulele, becoming fluent in Spanish, French, and American Sign Language, learning to golf

What have you accomplished on your list?

Green travel is becoming very popular as environmental concerns grow.  “Consumer demand for socially and environmentally responsible tourism is growing globally three times faster than the tourism industry as a whole – at 20%-34% per year,” says Organic Explorer.

I recently found a great website, Organic Explorer, for green travel and tourism in New Zealand.  You’ll find a directory of organic restaurants, eco-accommodation and environmental tourism.  There is also a calendar of events to help plan your trip activities.