The Sun returns..

Happy Winter, my friends. The Sun returns.
From a few days hence, the days will start to get
a little longer.



Where are all my fellow Winter babies at?
Capricorns, Aquarians, Pisceans. It's our
season now. What winter dreams do you have?
My birthday is coming up in a bit over a
month, so I am making plans what to do
for my big day now. Also creative ideas
and other appointments that I need to
get done. Still it's time to celebrate
the Winter Solstice

via GIPHY

Here is inspiration here and here how to celebrate
this important day of the year. Happy Solstice..

Manifest Monday : Think on the impossible

The definition of the word impossible is incapable of being or occuring.
I like how people use the word impossible and flip it around to say I am
possible.

Seriously, what are the goals and dreams that you deem "impossible?" I
have found that many things we deem impossible aren't truly that. They may
be challenging or difficult that doesn't mean that it's impossible. Right
now, I like you to think of a dream or goal that you have labeled impossible.
Now, once you have in your head, let me show you how I unlock my impossible
dreams. Now, full disclosure all my impossible dreams haven't come true
yet, they will eventually. I know this because a lot of my impossible
dreams have come true!

via GIPHY

1) Acknowledge how far you are from your goal. Accept where you are.

2) Plan a first step toward your impossible dream. Make is small enough
so you can achieve it.

3) Spend time at least 3-4 times a week imagining for 5-10 minutes on
your dream. You can use all of your senses for this. When I was trying
to get pregnant, I act out how it feel to tell all my family and friends
how it felt to be pregnant.

4) Keep your dream goal to yourself. Only share with people who can support
you.

5) Be open to achieving help, guidance and other miraculous things for your
impossible dream as you continue.

6) Celebrate all the successful steps you have accomplished. No matter how small
they may appear.

7) Take stock of where you are every season. Then reshift your goals as you get
closer to your dream.

8) Don't get discouraged. Pour good energy on yourself and your impossible dream.

9) Repeat steps 1-9 as many times as you need.

This is what I have done to get pregnant with Jacob at 42, to release 60 pounds,
to achieve goals with my acting, etc. It works for me. Try these steps or take
the steps that resonate with you for your impossible dream.

Remember nothing is truly impossible. Keep going towards your dreams.
I wish you all the best.

Manifest Monday : Big Dreams

Happy Monday, my friends. I like to plan big wild dreams.
It gives me a glowing feeling in my heart. I have something
lovely to look forward to. Most of the time they do manifest
in ways I could never have imagined.


I want to go on a luxury cruise. I have been on a cruise.
I want to experience the top of the line cruise experience.
I subscribe to the Cunard Cruise catalog. I put up this
of their World Voyage for 2020.




Honestly, I have Jake. Going for 4 months on a cruise
doesn't appear feasible. Still, I can dream. Who knows
maybe when Jake is older, I can go. Or I even homeschool
him and take him with me. The best thing is to tell the
Universe, hey I desire this. Be open to how it manifests.

Whatever dreams you have whether they be big or small. Don't
discount them. Leave room for the magic and the energy of
your dreams to manifest.

Manifesting Monday

Happy Monday. If you are looking for a sign to keep on your dreams. Then this is it. Keeping dreaming, believing and doing!

You ain't see the best of me yet...

I was 11 years old in 1980 when I stayed up, with my mom, to watch the Academy Awards for the first time. I went to bed tired and dazzled. I remember going to school going the next day vowing I be there some day.

I be like Rita...



Like Sidney..



Like Halle and Denzel...



But what happens to Dreams when Life takes you in a different direction. Now, I understand the words of Langston Hughes from one of his most famous poems called Harlem.

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

My husband had a dream to finish college. Jake, born at 28 weeks, needed various therapies to help him. I deferred my dream for my family. As many mothers and fathers have done before me. Here at Swanofdreamers, I'm all about seeing the good in everything. I still do. Jake is in a special ed Kindergarten class and doing well. Sean is scheduled to graduate at year's end and become a counselor for people who have drug and alcohol issues. That is the good I see.



Honestly,it has been painful for me at times. I work on my monologues. I've looked at photographers to plan who I will take my new headshots. I think on the promise I gave Christopher. I am buoyed by my husband, my close friends and my mom who all are not even thinking of me giving up acting. That I can take up where I left off. So dreams do explode. Then you have to decide whether you let them lie on the ground destroyed or do you pick them back up to reshape your dream to where you are at now.



These are the 11 Black Actresses who have been nominated for Actress in a Leading Role. They are Dorothy Dandridge, Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Diana Ross, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Gabourey Sidbe, Viola Davis, Quvenzhané Wallis and Ruth Negga. Ruth is nominated tonight for her role as Mildred Loving in Loving. Halle Berry is the only one to have won so far.

Will one day I'll be part of this list? Will I win one? I use to want it so much. For now, I want to get back to acting and work in my craft. I am open. I am hopeful. Whatever your dream was or is. It doesn't have to stay buried. I am 48. I am actor. I'll always be an actor.

Dusting off Old Dreams

Happy Friday, I know I was supposed to be here yesterday. It has been has a busy two weeks at home for me hence why I haven't been around as much.

Today, I did something for my acting. I know I haven't mentioned me actually acting in a long while. I haven't forgotten my first love at all. With my husband in school and working and an active four year old, there is little time for acting. I have decided this year it's time to dust off that old dream and get back to it. I went to a meet and greet for a theater company that focuses on getting actors in front of agents. I was nervous about going but decided to just check it out. I felt a glimmer of my old self again. I know I can never be that free spirited single actor I was. I can be the me I am now. A still free spirited actor who is a mom and a wife. I had a bit of swag going on with my leather jacket, my hair done and my makeup on. I haven't completed left acting, I did direct two solo shows in late 2013. I still work on my monologues. I'm currently working on a script collaboration with my bestie, Neo, to film a short film in the summertime.

So what dreams have you been working on my friends? Or old dreams that you had to put on the shelf for a bit, like me? I love to hear all.

Here is a picture I put on snapchat today. With a bit of my makeup still on from the day.


I've been loving snapchat. If you like to follow me, please do. My user name is Shellofdreams. I love to follow you as well, if you are on it.

Have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back here on Monday. Seriously, I will. To share some of my new splurge makeup I got.

Keep Dreaming...

Happy Monday, my friends. I found this lovely short film about a deaf black girl who dreams of dancing. Really sweet. Enjoy.

Tamara_Film from Jason Marino on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas Moon

Merry Christmas, my friends. And it's also a Full Moon. I can't remember the last time it was a Full Moon on Christmas. Today is very special.


I kind of wish it is snowy like this today. Alas, it is a sunny day here. Still, it's Christmas. It's also the full moon in Cancer. All my sun and moon sign Cancer babies, this is your moon. Cancer energy is all about family, love, warmth, feelings, friendships, and water.

Let's do something special today. I am big believer in wishes. Wishes to me are like first cousins to Prayers. Wishes are real and can come true. What makes a wish come true for me is my intent and how much love is radiating from my heart. It may sound corny, but for me is true.

When the evening comes, whether you are celebrating with family or enjoying a Christmas solo, find time for yourself. Look out the window. Hopefully you can see the moon. If not, know Lady Luna is up there regardless. Put your dominant hand over your heart. Feel that beautiful energy of love radiating from your heart and your soul. Close your eyes and think of something close to your heart you desire. Let go of any judgements or fears about the wish. Feel that wish coming true. Feel how it would feel in your body,your heart and soul when it comes true. Say your wish out loud to yourself. Imagine the energy of the wish flying out of you circling up to the Full Moon and beyond. Once you feel the energy is gone, open your eyes. Know now that your wish is picking up energy to manifest itself back to you. Be open to how the wish comes to you.

I'm wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Beautiful Full Moon

Keep Dreaming

I have might of shared this story with you all before. I came up with my blog name in part because Swan was my last name at the time. Now it's my maiden name and my last name I use still for acting. The dreamers part came from that I'm a big dreamer. Always have been. I know I get that dreamy side from my mom. She loves to think up new dreams and make them happen. My mom is a big inspiration for me in doing that.



I was always the kind of kid who could finish a conversation with you then effortlessly slip into a daydream. ( Confession: I still do this now!) I love daydreams. They give me inspiration and guidance what to focus on next. Dreams: day or night are like inner angels whispering to do this or do that. I may dream of things that may take days to weeks to even years to manifest. Eventually they do.

When you drift of to your favorite dream, tune in and wonder. And reflect on this...

What are your favorite dreams and fantasies?
What are the common themes in your dreams?
Are there parts of your dream that can you bring into this reality?



Keep dreaming, my friends. Your dreams are waiting for you to bring them to our world.

Happy Autumn

Hello, my friends.

It's time to dance again as the seasons change. Today is a energy packed day. Not only does Autumn begins, it is also a new moon in Libra.



I like feel that as the wheel turns, doors fly open. Doors for opportunity, new beginnings, farewells. Last night, I was feeling depressed. The weight of unrealized dreams weighing heavily on me. I cried, as I stared out at the sky of the last Summer night of 2014. Knowing that a good cry is cleansing for the soul.

Then I came on pinterest and saw this:



And I thought yes, I need to remember this. When I turned on the light, I saw this picture which I have framed in my bedroom.

I remember the promise I made to my old friend here. I said, okay, Chris. I'll keep going. You have to help a sistah out. I swear I thought his picture smile.

It's a new season. Today, reaffirm your faith in yourself and in your dreams. It is true you are never too old or too young to have dreams. When you feel down like I did last night, there are signs everywhere encouraging you to keep going.

Here are two sweet things you can do today:

The first is find a fallen leaf today. Or draw one, if you can't find an actual one. Then write on it your dream. Put all your love of the your dream in that leaf. You can now let it go by letting the wind carry it or throw it on a body of water. If that doesn't suit you, Keep the leaf on your altar or special places where you put things that you love close to you. Know day by day, as the season goes, the energy of your dream is getting stronger.

The second is the corncopia or the horn of plenty. Whenever you are feeling down in general, find a picture of a corncopia to look at. You can use this one or even draw one. Use all your senses, what would your horn of plenty look, smell, feel, hear or taste like. Imagine your favorite person in the whole world gifting you this to make it even better. Spend at least five minutes on this.



If you have any special tips you do celebrate the season or keep focused on your dreams, please share in the comments below. I'm wishing you all a wonderful Autumn season. May it be happy, blessed and prosperous for you and yours.

Look and Breathe

I had a roller coaster of a week. I had
to really dig deep mentally to keep myself
together. Sigh.

One of the highlights of the week was watching
Mark Hamill on the season finale of Criminal Minds
on Wednesday. I was so excited! You have no idea how long
I kept saying he should do Criminal Minds
or Law and Order. One of my wishes came true.



When I get really stressed, I like to imagine I'm here.
In Tahiti. With blue crystal clear water, white sands
and the sun caressing my skin. One day, I'll get there.




May you all have a relaxing and beautiful Friday.

Wishing on a Star

When it's bedtime for Jacob, we have a routine
we do. One of my favorite things is to sing to him.
Now, I am by no means a singer. As I sang different
songs to him, snatches of songs would come from
memory.

One of the songs that came up a month ago is
When you wish upon a star. I realized I only
knew the first two lines. So I quickly looked
up the lyrics online.



Here are the lyrics:

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dreams
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true





I was like wow.. these lyrics are beautiful.
What it reminded me is that we teach our kids
to dream and wish on stars. As we come become adults,
we lose some of that optimism about our dreams.
Our dreams are gifts from our creator. I truly believe it.
When I was in school, my poetry professor shared
a story with us about dreams. I'll share it with you too now.

He said he an idea for a great story. He kept pushing
it off over and over. It nagged at him for years.
Then one day, he went to the bookstore and there
was his book idea in the flesh. Written by someone
else. He didn't get mad. He realized that the author
and him, maybe even others had been gifted by God with
that same idea. The only difference was that the author
of the book actually wrote the book while he never did.

That always stayed with me. Right now there are dreams
in you wanting to come out. Dreams divinely given.
They are waiting for someone to make them true. Why
can't they you be, my friend.


Here's a version of the song done by N'Sync
that I play for Jacob that he likes. Enjoy.



Keep Dreaming. Keep wishing on Stars.
Keep working on your Dreams.
I am. Hope you do too.

Dreams and Hula Hooping

Happy Thursday, my friends.

How are all your New Year resolutions and
dreams going? I hope whatever they are, you
are sticking to it. If you have
fallen off the wagon. You can always
start again today. Yep. Right now.

There are other great times to start
a new way life for yourself: the beginning
of a the month, on a new moon, the start
of a new season and especially your birthday.




Am I sticking to my new year's dreams?
I sure am. I got the bright idea to get
a hula hoop to exercise. The funny thing is
as a kid I was terrible at hula hooping.
It has been fun and I slowly getting the
hang of it. And eating these normal sized
portions is getting easier.

I'm cheering you on with your new year's dreams
for 2013. If you like to share what they
are in the comments, I love to hear them.
I will let you all know how I'm doing with
mine.

Breathe, Dream and Be

Happy Thursday, everyone.






I feel exactly like this First Nation woman here.
I have all these dreams that want to come through.
There is only one me. I have to do it one task at
a time.

Remember to breathe.
Remember to look up at the sky.
Remember to just be.

Do you ever feel like that? Or is just me?

I did win a spot with Joanna Powell Colbert's
Yule/Midwinter course. Which I'm looking forward to.
Thanks Joanna for picking me.

I'm also still part of Leonie Dawson's Goddess Circle.
Here new 2013 Life and Business Workbooks came out.
As always, Leonie creates beautiful and practical
things you can use.

Inspired by the Business Goddess E-course, I finally created a
mailing list for my Spirit Business: The Enchanted Swan. If you
like to sign up please do, go on over to Enchanted Swan.
Being on the mailing list, you get my monthly newsletter.
My second newsletter came out today. It's all
about Dreams. I also share the Christopher Reeve Dream I had
many years ago that made me continue acting. (I've shared that
story here about two years ago)

There are so many other dreams knocking on my door.
Though we are in December. Still a few weeks left in
2012 to rock out some more dreams.

Don't forget 12/12/12 is on Wednesday. Think, Dream
or Do something special on that day.

Everyone have a good weekend. I'll see you right
back here on Monday.

September and Dreams

Happy September, my friends.

The sunset comes earlier..
The night sky twinkles a bit longer now...
The trees will blaze in colors to
rival spring flowers...
And a hint of Autumn magic that will
be on it's way soon vibrates in the air.

What are your Autumn Dreams?
You always have to keep dreaming
and doing. What is life without having
dreams to aspire too?

A longheld dream I had is of
performing and writing my own one
person show. Sometimes, dreams come
in a total different way. The twist
is I'm directing an one man show
that one of my closest friends wrote.
The first workshop preview is on October 13th.
Now, I haven't given up doing my own one
woman show. Directing one now, gives me
a whole new perspective and experience
on doing my own.

Whatever dreams you have, believe they
can come true. Be open to allowing
The Divine to bring your dreams in
a way that may be even better than
what you dreamed of.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend.

Monday Visions

Happy Monday,everyone.



The Aries New Moon was yesterday, we are
still riding the Mercury Retrograde that
doesn't end till April 23rd.(Don't quote me
on that date, now.)With Aries new moon
vibrating, it can give a kick of fiery
energy to our dreams. Especially,
ones that have been sluggish. With all of that
said, Mondays are good to spend time to
flow with our dreams.

Sometimes, I get caught up in doing action steps,
I forget to check in and see how my Dreams
feel to me. Do they feel right? Or do some of
my dreams want to go in another direction? Am
I allowing that happen or blocking my own progress.
Dreams take on a life on their own after a while.
The best we can do is shepherd them along.

What Dreams have I been working on?
I'm writing a first draft of my one woman show.
Also, working on a e-book about acting for
potential students. I did a lot of rewriting yesterday.
Today I'm going to relax. Gaze out my window to
look at the clouds. Then let My Dreams
speak to me and guide me to the next step.

Dream Thought #33 :Dreams

I had an amazing dream last Thursday night.
A dream that has forever changed how I look
at life.

Sometimes we look for answers in our lives,
the answers lie in our dream world. Don't
discount your night time dreams, my friends.
They are a precious resource as we go through our
lives.

Emily Bronte said it best:
"I have dreamed in my life, dreams that have stayed with me
ever after, and changed my ideas; they have gone through
and through me, like wine through water,
and altered the color of my mind."

Oscar Dreams

source of Mo'Nique pic


I've been watching the Oscars since
I was 11! I slogged through long
boring show and good ones too. I enjoyed
last night since especially I thought
I wouldn't be a able to see it with
all the drama between Cablevision and ABC
that had channel 7 off the air for almost
a day.

Anyhoo..
Did your favorites win? I am way behind
in my movie watching, so my cheering was
for people I've always liked.

I was happy to see Mo'Nique win.
I love that her dress and magnolia
she wore in her hair was a tribute
to Hattie McDaniel who was the first
African American to win an Oscar in 1939.
And Jeff Bridges, who I always thought
is a good actor who never got enough
play as he should. Got his gold, finally.
Yipee for Sandra Bullock. Who is
a fave for mine.

Even if you don't win the Oscar,
you still win. You get to have front
row seats to one of the biggest parties
in the world and be recognized for
your work.

I have an Oscar Dream which I'm sure
millions of actors share. I like to
believe I will get there. A beautiful
dream whatever it is, can be a beacon
of hope and encouragement especially
when things don't feel good.

Keep your Dream or Dreams alive
whatever they may be. You never
know when, how or where they
will come true.

To go Big, do it Small

I have a tendency to get overwhelmed quickly. I've learned over the years to do as Mom would tell me: one thing at a time, Shell. I've translated this into when I have to do projects, I break it down into smaller steps to get them completed.

I've talked before about me painting my place since the beginning of August. I've painted my bedroom, foyer and now starting in the living room. Most people paint a whole room in a day. I wanted to do that but I felt like it was too much. I knew I get overwhelmed and frustrated easily. I decided to paint in sections. A big wall I slice into 3 sections. A smaller wall takes 2 sections. Each section would get painted a day. Of course, this means more time of me painting over all. Painting in bursts of two hours a day then having the rest of the day for other things feels great. I enjoy the experience of painting my walls with my own hands. With each section I get a sense of accomplishment, I love seeing the rooms begin to take on whole another vibe with their colors.

As Autumn approaches, you may feel the call to do big plans for the season for your home, family or yourself. Big plans are fine. I love to dream big! To accomplish the big things in your life break it down in smaller steps. Make it comfortable for you to do. If you make things comfortable and manageable, you will be more successful completing it.

If I planned on painting my whole home in one week. It would have been a mess for me. I may have gave up half way through. So you want to Go Big, Do it Small. Before you know it you have accomplished your Big plans.

Listening

There are times in life we do things and wonder why did we do that? We accept the fact that we have hidden motivations that lie in our subconscious.

Is our subconscious really hidden from us? Do we really do things from out of the blue? Over the past week I have been thinking on that as I have been dealing with some personal issues. I was reading Wayne Dyer's Excuses Begone; He echoed what I have been feeling.

When your upset, stressed, angry, sad do you listen to what you say to yourself? I want to encourage all of you to do so. I started listening to what I said to myself. I felt I was pretty aware of my thoughts. I realized I was still missing a huge chunk. Those shadowy thoughts that were swimming in my brain began to show me the why of certain choices I made out of fear, lack and anger.

Now, I'm not saying I'm free of all negative thoughts. (I wish!) I hear them now a lot better. I'm learning to detach or mute these thoughts. Feed my brain with positive affirmations and good thoughts. Thoughts of Abundance, Love, Hope, Faith, Action, Creativity, Beauty. Whatever goodness I can get into my head, I do.

Some people would say I'm not facing reality, I like to think I am creating my own reality worthy of my life.