Column: Sherwood Area Chamber of Commerce dreams

By Dave Murray for the Sherwood Sun

SHERWOOD, Ore. — Shhh!  Don’t tell anyone what happened the other day. I was daydreaming at work! Not the kind of thing you want your boss know about. It’s not my fault though. It was the two squirrels that were running around outside of the office.  They were chasing one another on the roof and leaping into the trees.  I started thinking about how much energy they had. That’s when I drifted off thinking about how many things I had to get done.  Where would I get my energy? That’s when I came to the realization that there are three types of dreams. 

First, there are daydreams – just like the kind I was doing but also the kind that sneak up on us in the middle of an afternoon and pull us into some wild, unrealistic scenario. Fun, maybe, but not exactly productive. 

Then there are sleepy dreams—those ridiculous, sometimes funny moments when we bolt awake because we’ve just imagined ourselves standing in front of a crowd wearing nothing but our underwear. Maybe those count as nightmares. But then maybe it’s our subconscious sending us some cryptic message. For sure they certainly aren’t the kind of dreams that drive purpose or shape a life.

Then comes the magical third kind of dream - those are the dreams of our future - dreams that don’t come from the brain but come from the heart. Those are the dreams fueled by passion, purpose, and the desire to build or do something excellent. These are the dreams that don’t let you rest. They demand commitment. They demand courage. They demand that you show up even when it’s inconvenient or difficult. These are also the dreams that change communities and make them great places to live.  My heart is on fire for these dreams. 

My brain will not shut off thinking about the dozens of people I know—business owners, city leaders, volunteers, neighbors—who are carrying their own version of these dreams. People who want to grow, to serve, to build something meaningful. They’re the people who are trying to take the next step but sometimes just need a spark, a connection, a resource, or a little encouragement to keep going. And when I think about all of them, I am reminded why the Chamber of Commerce matters so much. Because when someone’s dream is supported, strengthened, and given room to grow, it doesn’t just change their life—it lifts the entire community with it.