In memory of Barbara

Written by

Elephants I have known, Honoring Memories

May 18

In Memory of Dear Barbara, a Powerful Spiritual Teacher

Today I thought…

A person dreams a dream. That same person so completely believes in the dream, seeing it clearly in her mind and feeling its pulse in her heart that the dream is brought to life. The dream is manifested.

This transformation from intangible to substance evolves as result of a deep spiritual belief and powerful conviction. The process is not without sacrifice and hardship but the inner drive is so strong and belief so all consuming that all hardships are disregarded.

Once the dream has been transformed into a tangible state it can be easily appreciated by others. Many will feel a connection from deep inside their being and they too will feel connected and blessed by the manifestation of the dream. These believers will join in to support the further evolution of that dream.

Because so many have seen and believed in the dream and its manifestation, does it then result that the original dreamer should be made to sever her connection to the dream she dreamt and brought to life? Is it even possible to sever such a connection, which defies all logic and explanation? Is it rational to expect that the dreamer will abandon her dream? I think not.

Not only is it illogical but impossible for the dreamer to amputate all emotional, spiritual and psychological connections to that which is her dream. It is my belief that a dreamer’s dream is hers to create and share with others, as she herself will share in the dreams of others. We do a grave injustice when we attempt to squelch another’s dream or take it as our own.

Each of us carries a seed of hope for the future inside of us. We have a gift to give, unlike any gift another can give. Ours is unique and special to us. It is my belief that attempting to prevent another from fulfilling their dream, their life’s work, is the most serious of human violations that can be committed.

I have dreamt my dream and manifested that which is uniquely mine to give. From experience I can say with conviction, dream your dream with all your heart and it will become real. Continue to hold that dream close to your heart as a mother would a newborn child. Protect it and keep it safe. Share with others but never hand your dream over to another because only you can dream your dream and keep it alive in the way it was meant to be.

I am eternally grateful for the guidance that the elephants continue to provide me.

Comments

13 responses to “In memory of Barbara”

June 1, 2010

Tammy

AMEN. I agree with you totally.

Reply
June 2, 2010

ali

Amen Carol, Amen

Reply
June 2, 2010

Beth

I totally agree with you, too, Carol…..hold that dream close…..

Reply
June 2, 2010

magnolia8

Dear Carol,
Another late Happy Birthday wish to you. I am starting to get used to your new adventure. It has been wonderful reading about your new life! I pray for good results for all you do for others and know blessings will be returned to you. Be safe & be strong. I know every elephant in your path senses both your past and your future dreams, and they know you are one of their best friends!

Reply
June 2, 2010

Maraith

May your grasp of the dream be constant and strong. Many others stand vigilant to help you, should your grip weaken.

Reply
June 3, 2010

Tory

A very powerful statement that can only be interpreted as to how much you miss Tennessee. Know that thousands of supporters miss you too.

You said, “We have a gift to give; unlike any gift another can give. Ours is unique and special to us. It is my belief that attempting to prevent another from fulfilling their dream, their life’s work, is the most serious of human violations that can be committed.” It is amazing that through jealousy or greed, people’s dreams are destroyed by direct theft or lies.

I pray that your dream, and the truly special gift you have for such a needy species, will continue in the way you visualize it to be.

Namaste

Reply
June 3, 2010

sherryheim

The dream belongs to the dreamer even if the dreamer chooses to share it with others, once it becomes a physical reality. Sharing one’s dream no more makes it someone else’s than does writing and publishing an amazing novel, painting and selling a picture, composing and recording a piece of music, or creating a gorgeous photograph and putting it on display. Sharing in the dream, enjoying the dream, loving the dream, letting the dream color my world, does not change the fact that it is not my dream, the dream was conceived and brought to fruition by another; it remains their dream. Stealing one’s dream is a form of plagiarism, especially in the instance where that dream has been very well documented since its inception. A dream adorns a living canvas as much as a piece of art adorns a stable one. Though some may argue that you do not own the canvas, no one can deny that you own the dream that placed the artwork upon it. Your dream, having become a reality, places your signature upon that living canvas. There is no question who is the rightful owner of this dream. There is no question as to whose dream brought Barbara to her first real home and whose tears became the morning dew upon her grave. There is no question whose dream has formed a place where captive elephants can live in a natural habitat and be free to be elephants. These are YOUR dreams, Carol, and I feel blessed to have been able to share them, to watch them grow and take on a life of their own, but that does not change whose dreams they have always been. A destroyer or thief of dreams is an evil villain whose wish is to destroy the human spirit. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.

You are doing a lot of good where you are right now, but you belong in that place where your dreams have shaped a world in the design you imagined. Namaste. Celebrate the light that is life.

Reply
1. June 6, 2010
  
  Carol
  
  Reading your comments gives me courage to continue to pursue my dream. I want to thank all of you for the gifts you have given me, they are priceless.
  Namaste
  
  Reply
June 4, 2010

jubratt90

In my view only the morally bankrupt would try to steal another’s dream, only those with no vision of their own would attempt this type of moral theft. You are a multi-gifted person; a visionary, a dreamer and a truly inspiring human being. I suppose that since the thieves do not possess these gifts in any way, one should feel pity rather than rage. At the moment I am still outraged over the way you have been treated. The only way, aside from writing letters, that I can do anything to try to right the wrong that has been perpetrated against you is to support you and your efforts for elephants wholeheartedly and without reservation.
Take care and be safe.

Reply
June 4, 2010

Lesley

Lovely inspiration. Thank you.

Reply
June 7, 2010

Beth

Carol, I am glad our words can give you the courage but you have so much strength in you now. Please know that you are an inspiring amazing woman and if you hold that dream, you hold that light. Just keep shining it….so many here to support you and help you make it shine bright.

Namaste,
Beth

Reply
June 9, 2010

Barbara Anderson

My Teacher and friend, Though the selfish side of me wants you home, I need to remember that you have been sent to the other side of this world to continue the next chapter of the book that The Universe has created for you. And, thankfully, I can read your beautiful words which give me inspiration as well as the positive energy to do the work that I too have been called to do.

Reply
June 10, 2010

Caite

Querida Carol, I haven’t been able to log in for a while and am blessed to read your thoughtful reflections on the anniversary of the passing of our dearest Barbara who I feel like I knew personally through the detailed diary about her that you and Scott kept and shared with all of us. I wish you a very belated birthday and hope that your birthday wish comes true. As I’ve said before in similar words, firing the dreamer and founder of a sanctuary is so unbelievable as to be ludicrous! It feels as though TES no longer has a soul and I only pray that they come to their senses and soon for the sakes of the girls that are there and for all the others that so need sanctuary.

shanti om

Namaste

Caite

Reply