I often hear people make statements such as, “I would like to live in Hawaii” or “I would like to buy a sailboat and cruise to the Bahamas” and my response to that is “What is stopping you?”

Now I don’t want to sound like Martin Luther King, but I have a dream also, and it started back in July of 2006, I remember we had just returned from vacation to Mounatinview Arkansas. We had been inspired by the beauty of the place, and it had placed a longing in our hearts to live in a beautiful place closer to nature. We live in Houston Texas now and granted there are some beautiful places here, but comparing the two is like hot and cold.

So began the contemplation of how we could live in a place closer to nature , somewhere that people only dream about living. Many places swept through our minds including the place we had just returned from in Arkansas to Colorado, to Oregon, etc.. And then the Big dreaming started and Japan came up. For some reason it was like a light had went on in my wife and I’s head at the same time, and we knew that was it.

So I know many of you are thinking WOW!! When you dream you dream BIG! Actually Japan is not a stranger to me, and I am connected to the place on several levels. I was stationed there when I was in the military and absolutely loved it. Also my wife is a Japanese citizen, so you can see how this started. When you think of Japan, most people picture Tokyo, with high rise buildings crowded subways and concrete jungles. And I can understand that, because that is how Japan is portrayed in the Media.

My wife is from right in the middle of Tokyo, but this is not where we wanted to end up. Why leave one big city and go to another? And it surely wouldn’t be placing us closer to nature by far. So research was started by my wife, and we had started looking in the suburbs of Tokyo. As the search progressed our sites got focused on Hokkaido Japan. Hokkaido is the far Northern Island of Japan and is not attached to the mainland where Tokyo is located.

Hokkaido is the darker brown section in the map to your right. The island of Hokkaidō is located at the north end of Japan, near Russia, and has coastlines on the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Pacific Ocean. The center of the island has a number of mountains and volcanic plateaus, and there are coastal plains in all directions.

Many months of planning started, which turned into years, but we didn’t give up. There were times when it seemed like we would never overcome all of the obstacles that we were presented with. But one thing never changed, and that was the desire, the Intention, the Dream, and the focus. Just 8 months ago, after the Universe realized that we were not going to drop this dream, and that it was what we really wanted, things started to fall into place. We had our house for sale in a market that was stagnant, but believed it didn’t matter if every house in the neighborhood was for sale, that we would still get it done. I am happy to say that we will be closing on our house March 14 2008, our Visa papers will be back this week approved, and we will finally be on our way.

For those of you who have a dream, here are some words of wisdom or advice.
1. Be sure that your dream is really what you want. We have all heard the statement be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it.
2. Never give up. Do something everyday to put you one step closer to your dream.
3. Keep your Dreams visualized. Look at pictures of your dream, imagine yourself there, talk about it daily as if it has already come true. This will set the Universe in motion to make it happen.
4. Don’t worry, be happy. If you do all of the above your Dream will happen! It is inevitable.
One person that I give so much credit to is my wife, she has been a trooper in figuring out the details of Visa papers and locations in Hokkaido in which to move to. My 2 children will start school in April in Hokkaido (Yes thats when they start school there.) Another person who I have been in constant contact with for over a year and has given me so much support I can never thank him enough. A stranger that went out of his way to help another stranger, a person that I have only conversed with in email form only, that soon I will meet face to face. Thanks Snowman, your the best and the true meaning of a friend.
Never Give up on your Dreams! Take Care my friends.

1. 

   Brett Legree says:

   February 26, 2008 at 9:45 pm

   Charles,

   I had to comment on your post again today, as it rings true with how I feel. I do not have a complimentary post to yours – yet. I will, and I can pinpoint the approximate time.

   I, too, know many people who say, “someday I want to live there” or “someday I want to do this”. What is stopping them, but themselves?

   I wanted to visit New Zealand very badly, starting in mid 2005. Something about it drew me to it. I looked at photos, and knew I wanted to go there. Knew I wanted to live there.

   My wife took an interest in visiting (probably from hearing me talk about it all the time), and so in 2007, we vacationed there for two weeks. On the third day, my wife asked when we would be able to move there. In fact, I’d say now that she is more keen on living there than even I am – her enthusiasm is infectious.

   I had also decided early in 2007 that I wanted to start writing. I wanted to eventually make a living from it.

   I am now writing two books, and a blog. I am not yet making a living from it – but I will. I am working on several fronts towards relocation to New Zealand. We are not there yet – but we will get there.

   It just takes time, vision, and determination. I have a vision board that I look at each day, with photos and a list of goals and tasks that I work towards. It will work.

   Someday, for me, is today. I will never give up.

   Congratulations on your exciting move. Keep the dream alive. I will do the same.

   Thanks for the words.
2. 

   Snowman Japan says:

   February 26, 2008 at 11:23 pm

   Hey Charlie!
   Thanks for those nice words.
   As I have told you before, I never ever correspond with people I have never met, face to face. You are the first, and so far, the only one. I figured that if you were so determined to move yourself and your family to Hokkaido, I would be willing to help in any way that I can. After all, I really like living here, and I think a lot of other people would to. Just like you.
   See ya all real soon.
   It is getting warmmer little by little, every day.
   Norman D.
3. 

   Charles Hamel says:

   February 27, 2008 at 12:40 am

   Very inspiring Brett

   Few people ever set in motion the steps that will make their dreams come true and only continue to wish this and wish that.

   Congratulations on taking the steps in making your dreams come true.

   Thank you so much for your wonderful comments.

   Keep us posted on how it is going for you.

   Snowman

   You are welcome, I guess it was meant to be that our paths cross.

   Its already happened on one level, and will happen on the physical level real soon.
4. 

   Brett Legree says:

   February 27, 2008 at 4:26 pm

   Thank you Charles.

   You are correct. Very few people ever do this. I think very few people even dream that it is possible. I have two friends who wish to effect life change. One realizes it is possible – he is very positive, and is also taking steps to do it. My other friend, unfortunately…

   I continue to work towards this, on a daily basis. My writing is only the start of an exciting journey. We will get there.

   I will definitely keep you posted. And may I once again wish you luck.

   Thanks for the continuing inspiration.
5. 

   investment property says:

   October 20, 2008 at 7:19 am

   Wow some encouraging words we set up a realtors in Portugal and it is proving to be about the toughest time in history to do so. We are plugging away at an uncertain future so to hear positive words about your dreams is a healthy thing.
6. 

   overseas property says:

   December 9, 2008 at 8:58 am

   Hearing about other peoples success, struggles, hopes and aspirations can drive us all forward and should continue to do so I think it is is important to remember that few people in the world get to do what ever they want and most of the ones who do worked really hard for it.