Barbara Meier Mayfield is a risk-taker, a poet and a kindergarten teacher. After a period of loss - both personal and professional - she refocused her life, getting back in touch with who she is at her core and started writing again.

Fear is what frequently holds us back from pursuing our dreams. Part of that fear is worrying about what one has to give up in order to pursue that dream. Steve Clack, a documentary filmmaker and teacher realized that, in order for him to pursue his dream the way he wanted to, it required faith and sacrifice. The result? It's worth it.

Oftentimes there is a desire, an interest, to expand one's world. And sometimes we don't exactly know where this may lead; yet by remaining open to the possibilities that present themselves, we can head out on amazing journeys. Zon Eastes, the Director of Outreach and Advancement of the Vermont Arts Council, is living just such a life.

What starts out as an interest, a hobby, can evolve into a passion. The question is, what does one do with that passion? Stephanie Ohnmacht learned to sew as a small child and now has her own designer clothing label. At the same time, she has a fulltime job unrelated to her passion. Here’s how she does it.

“Opportunities are easily lost while waiting for perfect conditions,” the saying goes. Diane Kappa found that realizing one dream opened the door for her to achieve a second dream. She seized the opportunity and found success in a career-changing move.

Everyone has a dream. For some, the dream sounds simple yet there are huge obstacles beyond their control preventing them from achieving their dream. Ann Marie Sullivan saw an opportunity – and a need – to help people with autism find meaningful employment. She’s built a unique company, Spectrum Works, which is helping others live their dreams.

The road to becoming a professional athlete is not an easy one. It’s a highly competitive arena with a large number of talented individuals vying for a finite number of opportunities. Greg Pryor, of the 1985 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals, shares his experience and wisdom showing us that if you know what you really want, no one can stop you from achieving it.

There are times when you may not really know what your dream is. Then, one day, circumstances change and the idea presents itself to you. Such was the case with Lee Clayton Roper, where a project to help her ailing mother has evolved into a second career.

Copying – styles, ideas, forms – is common in the arts, especially as one begins. What gets exciting is when one finds their own voice and feels confident enough to step out in their own direction. Clark and Co – a fairly young music group – found their own voice, which has fueled them to move forward and keep growing.