As I was preparing to write this “Dream” article, life resiliency smacked me in the face this week. You see, doctors told us that our 14-year-old daughter had a significant infection after enduring severe stomach pains earlier this week.

All of us have dreams for a better tomorrow, but sometimes we have to remember the greatness of our lives today. After a battery of tests, doctors still did not quite know what was going on with our daughter.

I was just dreaming about the many special days she has given us for so many wonderful years. None of her teenage antics mattered; I was just dreaming for a continued tomorrow for her.

Doctors finally determined she had a kidney infection that could be treated with a host of medications.

I know I was just overreacting but her health put everything in perspective for me in life. I was not worrying about my very successful, new resiliency business or that I had 33 others things to do on my life list this week. I was just dreaming that she was going to be herself resilient and happy self again- with her normal teenage growing pains.

The diagnosis and treatment options relieved my stress and worry tremendously. She’s a great kid, and we don’t know what would happen to our lives without her.

All of us – whether employed or not – are probably struggling a bit because of these current challenging economic times. While those challenges are real, please never forget about the truly important parts of your lives and the terrific people within your orbit. These folks – whether they are family or not – are true gifts to cherish and are an essential part of your “dream book.”

My daughter’s medical challenges also reminded me of a special memory I had for a vintage 1940s Johnny Mercer song called “Dream (When You are Feeling Blue).” Because, as circumstances played out for my family this week, things are never as bad as they first seem, so “dream, dream, dream.”

I included the memorable Johnny Mercer lyrics below as a way to keep inspiring me – and hopefully you – to keep dreaming no matter what unexpected challenges face us now or in the future.

Here are the inspirational lyrics:

Get in touch with that sundown fellow
As he tiptoes across the sand
He’s got a million kinds of stardust
Pick your fav’rite brand, and

Dream, when you’re feeling blue
Dream, that’s the thing to do
Just watch the smoke rings rise in the air
You’ll find your share of memories there

So dream when the day is through
Dream, and they might come true
Things never are as bad as they seem
So dream, dream, dream

Dream when the day is through
Dream, and they might come true
Things never are as bad as they seem
So dream, dream, dream
Dream…
So dream, dream, dream

Thanks, again, for your wonderful worldwide support of my resiliency blog and please keep on “dreamin.” Till next week…I hope you are having a resilient day!