Living the dream life is a series of conversations about heart-based living. How do we dream and envision our lives? What happens when we let go of our dreams and what happens when we allow them to guide us? This series is about community, opening our hearts, sharing our voices, and our dreams. Today’s interview is with Alisha Sommer, who knows about the power of story:
I am a 20-something mother, writer, and seeker of beauty & truth. I am Bipolar, a recovering bulimic & a big dreamer. I love: coffee, sunrises, mountain air, books, and a million other things under the sun.
Favorite Color: Robin’s Egg Blue
Favorite Song: A whole album – Heavier Things by John Mayer
Website: www.storiesofsommer.com
When you were a child, what did you dream your adult life would be like? Did you carry those dreams through into adulthood?
As I child I was always dreaming. I dreamt of writing in an old English castle overlooking the ocean, candles burning, with feathers and ink. I dreamt of travelling the world, immersing myself in different cultures, learning the languages and connecting with the people. I dreamt of sitting in a quiet room painting, drawing, and sculpting until my hands were numb. Then somewhere along the line someone told me to dream of being a doctor or a lawyer. And so I dreamt of healing the sick and seeking justice for the poor. Unfortunately, here I am today, still dreaming about those dreams and not living them.
Is there any wish or dream you once had for yourself that you’ve given up? Would you like to have it back and believe it in again?
What I have in common with most artists is that I was told that you could never make money as an artist–they all starve. So I was encouraged to pick a career and life path that would be more “practical.” Now I know that’s not true. I would like to believe that it’s still possible for me to become the artist that I’ve always dreamed of. Though I have brought writing back into my life, I am longing to delve into other forms of expression: music, painting, sculpting. I want to believe that I can still make that dream come true.
What do you experience in your life when you give up on your dreams?
I didn’t realize it until recently, but when I give up on my dreams, I turn into a bitter and depressed shell of a woman. And that is no way to live. When I lose faith and let my dreams die, a part of me also dies.
If you could dream backwards, what would you wish for the child-you?
If I could dream backwards, I would wish that my child-self would realize and appreciate how talented she is and to know and believe, deep in her being, that she can do and be anything she wants to be–no matter what anyone says.
Do you find that you have a consistent desire at your core, or are you always changing?
I believe that I am constantly evolving, discovering (or is it rediscovering) truths about myself and the world. But when I dig deep, really deep, I see that I am the same. Lately I’ve been telling myself that I am not changing into someone new, I am just becoming the person I’ve always been.
What does “living the dream life” mean to you?
To me, the “dream life” is all about waking up each morning feeling good about my place in the world. It’s about feeling connected to my soul and speaking my truth. It’s about feeling embraced and loved for who I am. It means that I get to create art that touches other people at their core while helping to provide for my family. Oh, and I can travel whenever and wherever I want!
What does being in the flow feel like to you?
When I’m in the flow, everything around me is quiet but my mind is really loud. The hand cannot keep up with the mind, but the words still get onto the pages. And when I’m all done, I feel light. It’s like I’m walking on air.
What techniques or practices help you delve into the territory of your heart?
Every morning I write my morning pages (inspired by “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron). Getting those random bits and pieces of my psyche into my journal each day helps me regain some focus. I try to connect with like minds via the web, reading blogs and sharing through Twitter ideas and art that inspire me. Recently I’ve begun to do more inner work by reading books related to creativity, feminism, and spirituality.
How much of your life is governed by your heart? Do you act on intuition?
My life is goverend by my heart 100%. There was a time when it wasn’t that way, and boy was I miserable. Over the past three years I’ve learned that in order to feel like I’m thriving–not just surviving–I have to listen to my heart. When I trust my intuition, life is more smooth.
When you follow the desires of your heart, are you ever met with resistance from the other people in your life and if so, how do you deal with that?
Sadly I think we all experience this. It seems as though our culture is hell-bent on being miserable. You have no idea (or maybe you do) how many times very dear ones have told me that dreams don’t come true. That I need to live in the realworld. I used to let it drag me down, so down that I did begin to give up on my dreams. But what keeps those monsters at bay is surrounding myself with encouragers. There are so many other people out there ready and willing to support and love my dreams.
What’s a dream that has become a reality in your life? How did realizing it feel to you? How did that change your life?
A dream that became reality was becoming a mother. I had always dreamed of having one child and soon I will have 3! While motherhood has been the most demanding and challenging experience of my life so far, it has also given me the greatest gifts. With each child I have given birth to, I have also given birth to a stronger me.
What’s the biggest, wildest, most fantastical dream you can dream for yourself?
My biggest dream: to move to France or Italy with my family, running retreats for women, painting, and writing bestsellers.
If you had no fear, what would you attempt?
I would move abroad and actually finish that memoir I keep talking about.
What reality would you like to be living a year from now?
In a year from now I would like more financial stability and more time alone to nurture myself and my art. (Though, that may be a challenge with three young children). Professionally, I would like to be regularly submitting my writing to various publications, submitting manuscripts and connecting with more writers.
What’s your dream for the world?
My dream for the world is that each individual realizes how special and unique they are and for them to be loved without exception. I just want everybody to love.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, it would be my very best friend and soul-sister Sylvia. I don’t get to see her very often, but we are psychically connected. When we are together we have the deepest conversations and the most brilliant insights. There’s not another person on this earth like her and I relish any amount of time spent with her.
Would you like to share your dreams here? I’d love to talk to you: lorilyn@gmail.com
Thank you so much for sharing your space with me today, Lori-Lyn!
Thank you for being here, Alisha!
Thank you for being here, Alisha!