“Don’t miss the beautiful colours of the rainbow while searching for that pot of gold.” Anonymous

In the pursuit for our dreams, we can become so occupied with our tasks or to-do items that we miss out on the colors, sensations and experiences that the present moment brings. We forget to “smell the roses”. Over time, we wonder why life seems to be such a drag, robbed of joy and void of delight in the simplest of things.

Many of us chase after our dreams, hoping to find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The rainbow represents our hope for a bolder and more brilliant future. It forms a beautiful arch across the sky. Yet, it also appears to be beyond reach.

Well, going for our dreams is great! I support the idea very much. It’s important to have dreams, to eventually manifest our heart’s desires. However, the road to success may be paved with major difficulties….or even everyday challenges and times when life seems just like all work.

Should you be experiencing a sense of dreariness, let’s begin by asking better questions. Here are some:

• What makes a meaningful life?
• Is there really a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
• How did the story even come about?

The Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow Story

According to Irish mythology, the leprechaun’s secret hiding place for his pot of gold was at the end of the rainbow. The leprechaun is said to be a trickster who often appears at night and is the cause of small mishaps around the house. He is depicted as a very small old man dressed in green, wearing an apron and with silver buckles on his shoes.

So here is a revelation. Even though the appearance of a rainbow gives away the location of the pot of the gold, we have to catch the leprechaun first in order to find it. Since leprechauns have the magical ability to disappear, it is next to impossible to actually find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Furthermore, if you think about it, the end of the rainbow is merely an optical illusion. There is no exact location that you can pinpoint on a map. The rainbow is a half arc, part of a circle. As you walk towards it when it appears in the sky, the end of the rainbow starts to move. Since there is no end to a circle, there is no such thing as “the end of a rainbow”. Hence, the end of the rainbow is a non-existent place.

So, what then?

Lessons from the Rainbow Quote

This quote – “Don’t miss the beautiful colours of the rainbow while searching for that pot of gold” – really offers 2 lessons:

1. There are treasures to be gleaned in the present moment, even as we go for our dreams. Let’s also take delight in the beautiful colors of the rainbow and the magnificence that it cast. Stop to take in the beautifully lit sky, the reflection in the dewdrops and the wonders of the world. We make the intention for balance by allocating time for our family, taking walks in the park and meditating in nature.

“Sometimes, it is important to look for that pot of gold. But other times, it is essential to take time off and to make sure that the most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.” Douglas Pagels

2. The answer is not in never having dreams for that will be denying the urgings of the human spirit. Instead, we need to honour the creative soul in all of us. It is where the seed of our evolution lies. More importantly, the lesson is about realising that the true pot of gold is not just out there.

Instead, it is in all of us. It is an unfolding of the journey within. It is the shattering of the illusions, mistaken beliefs and outdated ideas. It is our answering to the call of courage, love, persistence and so on. We are to integrate these transformations so that we can ultimately manifest our dreams of abundance.

Alchemy is the transmutation of our leaden unawakened selves into the gold of consciousness, that illuminates our being from the inside-out. If you would like to read further, check out my book Abundance Alchemy – Journey of Gold available at Amazon here.

Love and Abundance Always,

Abundance Alchemy Coach