Remember the first time you gave or received flowers, or the first time you went on a dinner date? Sweaty palms, flushed cheeks, awkward conversation… wishing the night would never end while hoping it will be over quickly so you could stop holding your breath. I bet you wouldn’t trade those moments for anything.

And what about today? Perhaps on Valentine’s Day, your lover will give you roses and plan the most romantic dinner. They will sweep you off your feet. . . again. You’ll feel the warmth of the flame of their undying love for you. You’ll feel safe. Secure. Loved. Ahh… life doesn’t get much better than that.

So, what if the love of your life put your romantic dinner and flowers or chocolates on their to-do list? They sat impatiently checking those things off their list while you cut your steak into a million pieces to savor every second of the romantic evening. After three bites they suggested you chew faster and concentrate on the task at hand: eat the very expensive dinner they spent good earned money to buy. What if they took you through a drive thru florist and the attendant handed a dozen roses out the window? Your lover shoved them in your direction while they watched for their change. Oh yeah, that makes you feel like you’d rather commit murder than commit to another ten years together.

No, love affairs are special. Our suitor has a way of making us feel we are the only person or thing in the world our partner cares about, or even notices. They think of everything to show their love for us. Bombs could go off all around them and they would not even notice. Their eyes and thoughts are locked on us. We feel, well, special. Important. Adored.

That’s exactly how we should feel about our dreams. No, it probably wouldn’t work to send our writing dream flowers. . . or would it? What if you ignored all the distractions around you and focused only on the love of your dream? What if you forsook your favorite TV program or that book you’ve been reading and do something special for your dream like, umm… pursue it?

When you really, truly are in love with your dream of being a writer, you treasure it. Long to spend time with it. Stay up way past bedtime having conversations with it about your future together. Your lives and hearts are intertwined. You can’t separate yourself from your dream.

When you think of your dream of being a published author, do you treasure it? If so, your heart speeds up at the thought of sitting down and writing words. When others ask you about it, you gush out loving remarks about how wonderful it is.

Perhaps you and your dream have been together for a long time and you’re in a comfortable part of your relationship. Why not spice it up a little? Do something special for your dream. Treat it to a new laptop computer, or buy Susie May Warren’s books on writing craft. At the very least, forsake all others and spend some quality, non-distracted time with it. And if your relationship with your dream has grown cold, ask it to forgive you and make it up to that poor, neglected dream.

You owe it to yourself and your dream to make it feel special. To give it dinner and roses. To fall in love with it all over again.

Where are you in your relationship with your dream? Are you hot? Or perhaps distant? Do you remember your commitment? Post your responses on the team member forum. I’d love to see them. Also, feel free to email me. I’d love to hear from you. reba@mybooktherapy.com.  View Part one here.

AUTHOR BIO: Reba J. Hoffman is the MBT Member Care Coach. She has a PhD in clinical counseling and is the founder and president of New Hope Institute of Counseling. Reba uses her gift of encouragement to help writers overcome negative emotions so they can live their dream of being a writer. Her works appear in publications such as Running for the Woman’s Soul by Road Runner Sports and The Good Fight by Donna Hicken. She is the author of My Book Therapy’s Dare to Dream, a Writer’s Journal. Contact her at reba@mybooktherapy.com.