Have you ever noticed how easy it is to dream, yet how distant those dreams can feel? We write them down, talk about them, but rarely build a true relationship with them. In this post, I share the moment I realized the secret wasn’t setting more goals — it was giving my dream a name. 🌱
We all have dreams. Some big, some quiet, some so sacred that we barely dare to whisper them out loud. But here’s what I’ve noticed — most people keep their dreams at arm’s length.
They talk about them as if they belong to another lifetime. They admire them from afar, occasionally dusting them off during New Year’s resolution season, only to tuck them away again by February.
Why? Because we’re not close to our dreams.
We don’t have a real relationship with them.
We let life get in the way. We let fear, doubt, and distraction take the wheel. And somewhere in the back of our minds, a quiet voice whispers:
“Maybe it’s not possible for me.”
When I Started Choosing My Word of the Year
A few years ago, I began choosing a word of the year. At first, my words were declarations — SOAR, BLOOM, RISE.
Then I learned something beautiful from my mentor, Tonya Leigh. She taught me to choose a word not just as an intention, but as an identity — the woman I needed to become to bring my dream to life.
That single shift changed everything.
When my word was SOAR, it gave me the courage to take a bold financial leap — moving from a shared apartment where I felt small and stuck, to a solo apartment in my dream neighborhood. That move wasn’t just about location; it was about elevation. I felt myself expanding — emotionally, spiritually, financially.
Then came another year. My word was DETERMINED. And as I began embodying a determined woman, I stopped waiting for someone else to lead. I took over our rental business and grew it from four properties to seven. It was wild, empowering, and deeply satisfying.
These words guided me like inner compasses — reminding me of who I was becoming and what I was capable of.
Even though I didn’t always journal consistently or check my vision board daily, those words stayed in my subconscious, quietly directing my choices and reshaping my identity.
A New Dream, A New Fear
Fast forward to today. I’m stepping into a completely new world — investments. And let me be honest, bestie: it’s scary. There are days I feel inadequate, and others when I wonder if I truly belong in that world. But then I remind myself — I’ve done hard things before. I’ve built dreams from nothing before.
Still, this dream feels different. It’s big, unknown, and it demands that I evolve again.
To think like an investor. To learn the language of money. To study strategies, spot opportunities, and make bolder moves.
But even with all that excitement, I found myself slipping away — losing emotional connection to my dream.
Until one day, I had an AHA moment.
The Moment That Changed Everything
It came like a whisper from within:
“Give your dream a name.”
That sentence hit differently. It wasn’t a to-do list item — it was a sacred invitation.
And so, inspired by Serena Williams’ business empire, I named my dream: Salima Ventures. In that moment, something shifted. It was no longer my investment goal. It became a living entity. I started thinking about it, talking to it, nurturing it.
“What would Salima Ventures do today?”
“What would she invest in?”
“How would she grow?”
Naming my dream gave it a soul. And when something has a soul, you don’t abandon it — you build a relationship with it. It changed how I learn, how I spend money, time and energy, and how I show up for my future.
Your Dream Deserves a Name Too
Maybe your dream is to write a book, open a café, or start a foundation. Maybe it’s to buy land, move to a new country, or create generational wealth.
Whatever it is — give it a name.
Because dreams without names stay fantasies. But once you give them a name, you bring them closer. You breathe life into them. You start a relationship — and relationships are where love, growth, and commitment live.
So today, sit with your dream. Ask it, who it wants to be. And when the right name comes — say it out loud, write it down, and let it live through you.
Because naming your dream isn’t just an act of intention. It’s an act of faith.
🌹 Journal Prompts: Give Your Dream A Name
- Meet Your Dream:
Close your eyes and imagine your dream as a living being. What does it look like? How does it feel to be near it? Write down everything you notice. - Name It:
If your dream had a name, what would it be? Write it down. Feel it as you say it out loud. What changes in your energy when you call it by name? - Identity Check:
What qualities or identity do you need to embody to bring this dream to life? List 3–5 words and write a sentence for each describing how you would act as that version of yourself. - Daily Connection:
What is one small action you can take today to show up for your dream? How will you honor it and make it feel seen, loved, and alive? - Visualize the Future:
Imagine your dream fully realized — how does life feel? Where are you? Who are you becoming? Write a vivid paragraph about that reality as if it’s already here. - Obstacles & Belief:
What fears or limiting beliefs are keeping you from fully connecting with your dream? Write them down, then ask: “What would I tell my dream if I were brave and unwavering?” - Gratitude for Progress:
What past dreams or accomplishments can you celebrate that show you can bring dreams to life? Write a few sentences honoring your own courage and growth.
Every dream needs recognition to come alive. Don’t just keep yours in your mind — give it an identity, give it a name, give it breath. Share your dream’s name in the comments or whisper it to yourself tonight before bed. That’s how creation begins — with intention and love.
Salima
Just me thinking out loud over here