On the eighth week in my tractor, and after about 1000 trips up and down the rows of vines at Te Awanga a very strange thing happened.

It was late spring on a beautiful morning and the sun was shining, music playing in my headset. The job of mowing the grass on this particular morning was going just fine, no breakages. I’m as mellow as a mellow thing.

Then it strikes me - I’m in a dream. Or rather I’ve been dreaming. I can’t work out if I’m dreaming about dreaming, or just dreaming. Is it really morning and am I driving a wee blue tractor? No, I haven't been nibbling magic mushrooms.

So, I stop and get out for a stretch, deep breath. I’m all good. Back in the cab, and off I go again. And within 30 minutes I’m back in the dream.

This time I don’t get freaked out, I just drift in and out of this state. It feels very warm and very real. You know sometimes you wake up and you know you have been dreaming, but you can’t remember it - well it was like that. That afternoon I got the most amazing photos of a rainbow to finish the day.

Until a couple of weeks ago I was having coffee with my mate Keith Mason. Keith tells me he’s working on developing a new offering for his clients, which is helping people with their dreams.

Oh, I have a dream I tell Keith - what's that he asks. So, I tell him what I think my dream is. Nope he says that's not a dream, that's a goal. Fuck I hate it when he does that.

He pushes back, and he asks what's lying deeper down. Boom, I’m back on my tractor in Te Awanga months prior. I go glassy eyed and say I have a dream, like it feels sacred to me. My throat went tight, and I felt bashful as it crystalised into words.

Keith, I have a dream. Tell me your dream my friend he says quietly. I am almost stuttering and stammering as I speak.

That the differences between people create outcomes that are surprising, lasting and regenerative. 

Where differences are an attraction to each other, in the knowing that magic lies in the engagement with people not like you.

Where we can develop an attitude and then skills to enhance each other's world views, and in doing so build trust with the unknown.

He smiles. That's a dream he says.

I describe the experience of the tractor. He smiles and nods, this repetitive practice can create this very state you were in.

Then he reflects - I think you are engaged with living your dream.

I think I am and want to improve my knowledge and experience with time and reflection.

Thanks, Keith Mason, for digging this out of me.

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