Quantum Goals: The Seed of a Dream
The Seed of a Dream – Thirty Years to the Great Barrier Reef
By Jason Shelfer: Living Lucky Podcast
We all have them, don't we? Those fleeting declarations, tossed into the universe like a message in a bottle. "One day, I'll travel the world." "I'm going to write a book." "I'll climb that mountain." They might be wishes, whispered hopes, or perhaps, the embryonic form of a truly powerful goal.
But what happens to these seeds of intention over time? Do they wither and fade, buried under the demands of daily life? Or do they quietly germinate, waiting for the perfect season to burst forth, transforming the very landscape of our reality?
Let me tell you a story, thirty years in the making, that might just redefine how you look at your own long-held dreams.
The Cold Lake and the Distant Reef
Thirty years ago, in the frigid, murky waters of a Midwestern lake, my wife, Jana, took her scuba diving certification. A college student at the University of Illinois, she was navigating an environment far removed from the vibrant, crystal-clear oceans often depicted in magazines. Yet, even as she shivered, she turned to her instructor and declared, "One day, I'm going to dive the Great Barrier Reef."
A casual wish? A hopeful promise? I'm sure her instructor had heard similar sentiments countless times. It was a statement from a specific version of Jana – a young, adventurous spirit, perhaps not fully grasping the monumental effort or resources required to bridge the gap from a cold Illinois lake to a wonder of the natural world.
Around the same time, though unbeknownst to us both, a younger version of me, captivated by National Geographic and the allure of the ocean, also harbored a silent fantasy of exploring those same reefs. It was a fascination, not a voiced goal, locked away in the quiet chambers of youthful imagination.
Fast forward through two decades of marriage, a lifetime of adventures, and a journey that took Jana to Australia twice for thirty-day stints playing wheelchair basketball for Team USA, culminating in a Paralympic Gold Medal in 2004. Twice she was on the continent, and twice, the Great Barrier Reef remained an elusive dream. Life, as it often does, presented other powerful, immediate goals that commanded her focus and energy. The seed was still there, but perhaps dormant.
The Unexpected Bloom
Then, almost exactly thirty years to the day after that declaration in a cold lake, something extraordinary happened. This year, my wife and I found ourselves in Australia. And not just in Australia, but on a boat, geared up, and submerging ourselves into the breathtaking, kaleidoscopic world of the Great Barrier Reef.
We spent a magnificent day diving, a symphony of color and life surrounding us. It wasn't a rushed item on a bucket list; it was a profound culmination. It was the "you" who set the goal three decades ago, meeting the "you" who was finally able to achieve it. It was my own unvoiced childhood fantasy quietly aligning with a reality I now shared with the woman I love.
The Quantum Question:
Here’s the powerful question this experience begs: Why did it take thirty years to achieve a goal that, on the surface, we could have simply purchased and experienced almost any time in the last two decades? Why did this particular opportunity manifest now, after such a long gestation period?
This isn't just a story about patience. It's about something far more intriguing: the subtle, often unconscious, evolution of self that aligns with a future outcome. It's about the "you" who sets the goal and the "you" who becomes capable and ready to receive it. It speaks to the idea that some goals aren't just checked off a list; they are grown into.
Perhaps the universe isn't just waiting for you to declare a goal; it's waiting for you to become the person who is truly ready, truly aligned, and truly deserving of its realization. And sometimes, that takes time. Time to gather resources, time to gain wisdom, time to shed old skins, and time for other, equally important life chapters to unfold.
In our next post, we’ll explore the astonishing flip side of this coin: a goal that went from an audacious declaration to World Championship status in a mere thirteen months. It’s the incredible story of exponential growth and going from worst to first in a competitive sport. Prepare to challenge your assumptions about timelines, possibility, and the explosive power of a clear, immediate intention.
Until then, consider:
What long-held dreams or declarations have you made, perhaps casually, years ago?
Who were you then, and who are you now?
What might it mean if those dreams are not forgotten, but simply waiting for the right moment – and the right "you" – to come into being?
Want more actionable insights and real-world examples of Living Lucky® principles in action? Download and subscribe to the Living Lucky Podcast, where Jana and I share 15-minute, powerful conversations three times a week to help you engineer your own success.
