What Is (Or Will Be) Your Reality Anniversary Day?

Tell us what your wildest dreams are.

August 2004: My first visit to Europe, specifically France, Italy, and England. I was mesmerized. The food, the ancient, the simpler lifestyle, and that collective society feeling that we’re on in this thing-called-life, together. It felt like home, which both excited and terrified me. And by the time the plane landed back in L.A., a seed had been planted: Someday, somehow, I will live in Europe.

Fast forward 18 years to March 7, 2023; the day I landed in Portugal, wide-eyed, and full of naïveté. I knew nothing about this country. I’ve always said: Immigrating as a couple or family is reserved for the brave, immigrating solo is for the courageous, and immigrating solo, sight-unseen is reserved (ahem) for the insane.

Today and over the weekend, I will be raising a glass (or five) of gorgeous Portugal wine to celebrate my two-year anniversary of living in Europe. I could drone on about life as an immigrant, bore you with tales of bureaucracy, and how emotionally and mentally exhausting relearning every-little-detail-of-life can be. Or, the sheer joy of finding a book — in English, bras that fit well-enough, and tortillas that temporarily relieve my desperate need for Mexican food.

From Italy tourist (2004) to Portugal immigrant (2023).

But instead, I want to hear about your dreams — the ones that excite and terrify you! The dreams that won’t let go, wake you up at night, and feel so “out there” they almost seem ridiculous. Share your aspirations that swirl in your mind and gut, achieved or not. FOR THIS POST ONLY, WE’RE OPENING UP COMMENTS.

Manifestation: The How

How do you turn an allusive desire into a reality while working, paying the bills, raising the fruit of your loins, and remembering to walk the dog? Read on.

We hear the terms Law of Attraction and Manifestation tossed around like pasta carbonara on the Amalfi Coast. Both practices are necessary to nourish dreams, keep doubt at bay, and open doors for your future.

We’ve all had those moments — a passing desire to do, go, or learn something, only for an unexpected opportunity or connection to appear. What we focus on, grows.

Quick refresher:

• Law of Attraction: Shifting your mindset. Visualizing what you want. Focusing on positive thinking. Repeating “I Am” affirmations.

• Manifestation: Taking active steps toward those visualizations.

The key? Let go of the WHEN and HOW. This isn’t traditional goal-setting, although goals may be a part of the process. If your dream is big, worrying about logistics may paralyze you before you start. Instead, align your thoughts, energy, and action. Protect it. Share your dream with people who lift you up and leave nay-sayers to their own misery. There were some people who had no idea about my European dream until months before I launched.

Being present in today, yet mindful of doors that we can open, action we can take, letting go of the how and when, and repeating positive affirmations can be part of your day. Your growth between now and the reality of your desire; priceless. The people that will arrive on your path; magical. Combining the law of attraction with manifesting will call forth a realm of support we otherwise would not see. And oh, how inspiring is that.

When I first visited Europe back in 2004, a seed was planted in the depths of my soul that required nurturing. And up until 2018, the idea seemed a bit foolhardy. My journey to calling Europe home didn’t unfold as I imagined. I thought I would live in France or Italy. Who knows, I may yet, still. It took longer than expected. I had to invest in myself and rise above doubts on many levels. I had more questions than answers.

Yet, when Portugal opened its doors, I mustered my faith and took a step that had long been in preparation in my mind and soul — shaking in my American sneakers every step of the way. God, the universe, divine power, whatever you want to call it, was there the entire time preparing, supporting, guiding, and providing a peace that is beyond my understanding.

So, What If?

What if you leave that dead-end job? Travel solo at this age? Become a wildlife photographer? Learn hip-hop and salsa dance (yes please). Leave a relationship you never should have entered? Drive race cars? Work remotely? Adopt a child. Move abroad? Escape the hamster wheel of society? Become a life coach, tour guide, or live off-grid and grow cabbages.

These are real dreams people have shared with me. And by engaging the law of attraction and manifestation, THEY ARE POSSIBLE. Just sit with that for a while.

Here’s to you!!

Go Silver Oyster was birthed to inspire you to dream, risk, and find the pearls of your life. So visualize them. Take baby steps. Stick it on your frig. Align with like-minded people. Let God handle the how and when. Choose to see life larger, full of magic, and reap blessings far beyond your craziest, featherheaded, goofball, quirky dreams.

Today and beyond, I raise a glass to acknowledge and validate the pearls of life you will discover. To celebrate your anniversary date when your dream becomes tangible. If moving to Europe can be my reality, what is possible for you?

Drop a comment. Together, let’s put it out into the universe.