Field of Dreams....

Dream- (noun) 1: a series of thoughts, pictures, or feelings occurring during sleep. 2: a dreamlike creation of the imagination: DAYDREAM

3: something notable for its pleasing quality 4: a goal that is longed for: IDEAL

Dream- (verb) dreamed or dreamt; dreaming 1: to have a dream or dreams

2: to spend time having daydreams 3: to think of as happening or possible-dreamer...

a defined by Websters Dictionary

By all definitions, I love to dream. From what I understand, not all people dream in color. I do. I can almost always recall what I dream, and sometimes I wish that I didn't. I have been awakened by dreams out of sheer fright and I have woken up from dreams with tears literally streaming down my face. Dreams have always fascinated me, basically because I often wonder if there is some sort of "meaning" linked to them.

And who has never "fantasized?" I'm constantly thinking about vacations, winning the lottery (which I hardly ever PLAY), and..finding my, "prince charming." ...a girl that I work with has a fascination with a certain (Grey's Anatomy) actor and even refers to him as "McDreamy."

I especially like the way a dream is defined as, "a goal that is longed for" and "to think of as happening or possible."

I sat down the other day and watched (practically dissected) the movie "Field of Dreams." I have been a fan of this movie ever since they were filming the movie. You may be wondering how that is even possible! Well, growing up in small-town Iowa, there wasn't too much to get excited about. And then...along came this movie.

#1: It was going to be filmed in Iowa.

#2: It was going to be filmed on a farm.

#3: This farm was located approximately one hour north of where I lived.

#4: (interesting, but true fact) During the making of this movie (originally to be called "Shoeless Joe") a crewman had car trouble in front of our house and my very own dad came to the rescue. The guy was so appreciative...we didn't even get free movie passes!

Add to all of that, Kevin Costner was the leading man...(talk about "McDreamy!")

I have watched "Field of Dreams" well over twenty times. I have been to the Field of Dreams a handful of times and neither of them gets old. However, I decided that when I watched the movie this time around, I was going to look and listen for things that I may perceive differently than I have in the past.

The back of the DVD says this:
""If you build it, he will come." With these words, Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is inspired by a voice he can't ignore to pursue a dream he can't hardly believe...A heartwarming experience that has moved critics and audiences like no other film of this generation, Field of Dreams is a glowing tribute to all who dare to dream."

I have discovered that this movie has some of the best, most profound lines of all time!




1) Ray's conversation with Annie regarding his father:
"He must have had dreams, but he never did anything about them...the man never did one spontaneous thing in all the years I knew him. Annie, I'm afraid of that happening to me."


2) Ray's first encounter with Terence Mann:
"There comes a time when all of the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place and the universe opens itself up for a few seconds to show you what's possible."


3) Terence Mann's words to Ray after they attended the baseball game together:
"I wish I had your passion, Ray. Misdirected though it might be it is still a passion. I used to feel that way about things, but..."

4) Archie "Moonlight" Graham speaks to Ray:
"You know we just don't recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they're happening. Back then I thought, 'well, there'll be other days.' I didn't realize that, that was the only day."
Ray: "If you could do anything you wanted, if you could have one wish..."
Moonlght: "...and is there enough magic out there in the moonlight, to make this dream come true?"
Ray: "...it would kill some men to get that close to their dream and not touch it. They'd consider it a tragedy."

As a parent, I have dreams for my child.

My child has dreams of his own, and I pray that I never discourage him from pursuing them.

Earlier this week, after my "disagreement" with Nick, I grabbed a book from my bookshelf and decided to "revisit" what it had to say.

"How to Succeed at Being Yourself (Finding the Confidence to Fulfill Your Destiny)" by Joyce Meyer

"When we're insecure, frequently we will stay with what is safe and familiar rather than taking a chance on stepping out and failing."

"I hope you have a dream or a vision in your heart for something greater than you have now. Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond all that we can hope or ask or think. If we are not thinking, hoping or asking for anything, we are cheating ourselves. We need to think big thoughts, hope for big things and ask for big things."

Part of me thinks that each and every moment of our lives should be about stepping out in faith, and part of me firmly believes that the greatest lessons in life are experienced when we fail. For in failing, we draw closer to God.

I think that in the movie, Ray Kinsella was very much aware of the possibility that he could have lost everything by following the voice that he heard. But he was determined to chase after his dream, even without fully understanding what it was all about!

Dare we do the same?

In the bonus features of the DVD, I stumbled across an interview with Burt Lancaster, who played Moonlight Graham, and this is what he said:

"That in dreams...in dreams there is the reality that you are looking for. It becomes a reality when you embrace that dream, and attempt to realize it."