It was 1995 when I first encountered the Happy Talk song from the 1958 musical South Pacific. I loved it right away.

I was working on a dream project in Singapore that was stretching me to my limits. I was stressed, working long hours, and was in many ways over my head. While writing the copy for a new marketing brochure for the project I stumbled across the lyrics:

“You got to have a dream,

If you don’t have a dream,

How you gonna have a dream come true?”

Most people think of a dream that they have, but what about a joint dream as a couple and then the extended version to include the family?

Family dreams are the most fun, romantic and inclusive. Including others doesn’t mean you don’t get to have your dreams, it simply means inclusive rather than excluding others.

I am amazed by how few families take the time to sit down and discuss what each person wants and how everyone can participate in a shared family vision. This would require communication. In the clip, you can see how the emphasis is on talking. It’s a simple concept that when applied, can transform the dynamic of any family. The best part is that it leads to the fulfillment of more people’s dreams.

You gotta have a dream!