Thursday, 4 December 2008

Dare To Dream





Hi, I'm Laura from Move to Portugal.

Sharon recently wrote a post about Fear of Failure and I left a comment quoting something that I had once read, which has always held true to me, 'I have no fear of failure, only a fear of not trying'.

This is quite an apt quote for us considering the journey we are on.

When we first started out on our mission to pay off the mortgage and move to Portugal we didn't tell anyone, we thought that friends and family would think we lived in a dream world, so we decided to keep quiet. As time has gone on we've slowly let people in on the secret and nearly everyone has the same reaction, it's impossible, you'll never afford it.

I never quite know how to react to this. It's hard to talk to people about how living frugally, having a 'less is more attitude' and not wanting to own the biggest house on the block, means that you can achieve your dreams. It's hard to get people to realise that once you stop living a consumer lifestyle then life becomes so much easier. This is something you have to realise yourself.

My philosophy is to aim high, if you don't quite make it to the top then at least you might land somewhere near it.

Recommended reading: Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominquez and Vicki Robin.

~~+~~

Image Credit: Portugese Eyes

~~+~~

Stumble Upon Toolbar

8 comments:

Margaret's Ramblings said...

Never give up on your dreams, I have achieved many and look forward to the ones still ahead. Number one is getting my book published - when I have ffinished it, LOL

Anonymous said...

Hm - I could understand people saying 'you could never afford it' if you were moving to Japan, Norway or New York - but Portugal? I thought that was a cheap place to live...lol.

Nearly everyone in Norway retires in Spain because it thriples their retirement fund.

Lovely picture.

Anonymous said...

It seems as though a lot of blogs and readers of my blog are sending the same message of "dreaming and going for it." And I read them and feel encouraged, that I will pull out of this difficult time, the bank won't take my boat, and I will find happiness. I often think of where I would be if I hadn't gone after my dreams and right now my old life looks much better. Regardless, I am hopeful for the future. Thank you for the encouragement and I'll keep trying.
Teresa

Sharon J said...

@ Margaret. Like you, I've achieved a good few dreams although in order to do that, it's meant landing flat on my face a few times too. But you just get up, brush yourself off, and start all over again :)

@ L-Jay. I don't know anybody who's retired to Spain from Norway. Not a soul. Most of those I know wouldn't dream of leaving Norway for good, they love their country too much.

@ Sailing Simplicity. You can only work with what you have and hope that one day things will go the way you want them to. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't, but if you don't try then you can be 100% certain that they NEVER will :)

Anonymous said...

hi all,
i am currently working towards a goal, i won't call it a dream, 'cos it is reality :-)

i want to do a PhD in new zealand, my boyfriend wants to teach out there and we want to take our five pets.

residency visas cost a lot, as do air fares for humans and animals.

we are currently living very frugally to save-up the money to do it.

yes we have to forego the traditional trappings of westerners who aren't on the poverty line: holidays; meals out; lots of new stuff - but for us it's a price worth paying... most of the time LOL

i think what i struggle with the most is my fear, at the moment i'm waking-up at 2am with a sick feeling in my stomach

i try my best to focus on all the advantages of NZ over the UK (open spaces, less materialistic, friendly people, more outdoor living), this sometimes helps.

sadly, many people think fear means one shouldn't do something, so they stop with their dreams. i wonder if some people are jealous at others who have the guts/organisation/realisation that "stuff" isn't what it's all about to go for it? or maybe they genuinely think the dream is too dangerous and that they're being helpful..on reflection it's probably that.

anyway to all us of who are dreaming/working towards a new reality: keep going, you will get there. and a big hug!

Anonymous said...

[p]The last to join was Montenegro and rather surprisingly [url=http://leatheruggboots.webstarts.com]leather ugg boots[/url] the penultimate to join was Switzerland . Nevertheless, Nike adult shoes is renowned all about the world that uncommon internet web site introduce Kids shoes as their critical products . Properly, the snow is falling [url=http://uggbootsgrey.webstarts.com]ugg boots grey[/url] plus the anchorage are icy, and the agency it is sort winter . The rest [url=http://uggbootspink.webstarts.com] ugg boots pink[/url] is history . If den ganzen Tag und ein Mann ist Ihr Komfort, zustzliche gemeinsame und [url=http://chocolateuggboots.webstarts.com]chocolate ugg boots[/url] Online-Self rechts mit Jeans und Ugg Boots in einer Jacke mit dem Ansatz, dass die Akkumulation spiegelt einige der eux . Casual Fashion of Ugg BootsAnd now these boots have come to be a well-known [url=http://discountuggbootsukonline.webstarts.com聽]discount ugg boots uk online[/url] fashion trend . T

Anonymous said...

[p]We are manufacturers and [url=http://www.fashionhermesbagsuk.co.uk]hermes bags kelly[/url] sellers of these top quality replica watches,we can provide you cheap rolex with factory price and the best quality products . At that time, Jean Louis Dumas happened to meet french celebrity Jane Birkin who whine to the president that she could not find the outstanding [url=http://www.springhermeshandbags.co.uk]cheap hermes handbags birkin[/url] manual however helpful major handbag . Females are often the goal of the style [url=http://www.fashionhermesbagsuk.co.uk]discount hermes bags kelly[/url] market . Unitary and only Hermes scarf is seemly to construct some second-rate clothing

Entering the important speaking, it dons an good headmaster thirteen hours to complete the wholly subroutine of [url=http://www.springhermeshandbags.co.uk]hermes handbags kelly uk[/url] a Buy hermes birkin Kelly bag . There are several handbag [url=http://www.fashionhermesbagsuk.co.uk]hermes belts women


[/url] stores over the web . Besides the classic Mulberry brand style, the new line features brighter colors, more functional [url=http://www.fashionhermesbagsuk.co.uk]hermes bags birkin on sale[/url] small pockets, lighter weight and other details . Both Kelly and Birkin [url=http://www.springhermeshandbags.co.uk]Hermes handbags UK [/url] are articles made to order . Kelly case functions [url=http://www.fashionhermesbagsuk.co.uk]discount hermes bags[/url] solitary deal with and it is outfitted that has a make bracelet.[/p]

Anonymous said...

[p]Dre New England Patriots Black

Colossal and rap legend [url=http://www.solobeatsbydre.co.uk]cheap beats by dre earphones[/url] Dr . A star-studded party in Times Square that included several music and entertainment celebrities, including hip-hop artist/television host/actor Bow Wow, DJ/television correspondent Amanda [url=http://www.solobeatsbydre.co.uk]beats by dre earphones[/url] Seales, hip-hop artist/reality TV star The Astronomical Kid, aka Astro, and renowned celebrity blogger Necole Bitchie, helped kick-off the national competition . Full manage associated with iPod and speakers? With a higher shot headphone cable remote control manage DRE which you manage your topic has moved . The duo隆炉s big seller has been the over-ear Beats by Dre range (pictured) which are known for their bass-heavy sound and active noise cancelling, as well as their standout looks . Best of luck to them and interesting approach . There隆炉s a lot of talented people out here who don隆炉t get the shine they deserve: Pac Div, U-N-I, Med and Rocc C and Oh No from [url=http://www.solobeatsbydre.co.uk]solo beats by dre[/url] Oxnard, and a bunch more I隆炉m forgetting at the moment . In particular, Beats By Dre Headsets assignation very fairly [url=http://www.solobeatsbydre.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] very good in decreased frequency, in addition as bass strength and flexibility . the fold up design of these headphones, it makes them smaller for travel and they fit conveniently in the included carrying case . When you隆炉ve [url=http://www.solobeatsbydre.co.uk]cheap solo beats by dre [/url] got the seal right you can get a good idea of what Dre隆炉s studio sounds like.[/p]