I love to dream. I often transport myself in my mind to new places to feel the excitement of the unknown, to imagine new cultures, to see and hear and touch and taste the exotic fabric of life.

I love to imagine myself doing something completely new, something I’ve never tried before.

I believe that the magical happens to us when we dream. We ourselves can sometimes create a new reality.

It’s fascinating that our subconscious mind can’t distinguish what is real from what is imagined; our conscious mind sorts things out.

It can make some of these dreams happen, but more often it discards them and moves on.

Yet all new and revolutionary advances first begin with a mental image from deep inside us.

I always have a lot of dreams, all kind of dreams … publishing a book, spending a month in a silent monastery, kite surfing on a glorious windy day, starting a unique business.

It is an ever-changing list, and it lets my imagination soar.

One of my most cherished dreams was my passionate desire to speak at a TEDx conference.

This unusual conference gathers speakers from around the world to share both their amazing personal stories and the insights they have on fascinating topics dear to them.

Each TEDx speaker is there to surprise you with some aspect of life or the world that you have never encountered.

It is a gathering of extraordinary people sharing their extraordinary dreams.

When I look for an answer to an unusual question or I need inspiration and motivation, or even just want some thought provoking entertainment, I listen to TEDx talks on the YouTube channel.

Each presentation makes me think, learn, laugh and be amazed by what interesting things other people are doing.

Three years ago, I learnt that a TEDx conference is held here in Bermuda annually at the Fairmont Southampton.

I told myself firmly and resolutely: “I have to participate in it! I have wanted to do this for years. I must act on this opportunity!”

I wrote my speech and sent it to the organisers. My friend, a designer from Barcelona, made me an elegant black dress.

I went to the Fairmont hotel and walked to the empty stage in the Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre.

I stared at the dark hall for a long time. I closed my eyes and imagined the hundreds of people who would listen to me.

My heart was pounding and I knew it would happen. “Someday, I will be performing on this stage!” I said to myself, and truly believed it.

Unfortunately, my speech was not accepted, and the next year I fell ill and put aside my dream.

Nonetheless, life presents us with incredible gifts and often fulfills even our most unlikely dreams.

Last Saturday, I was on the stage at the TEDx conference.

Only I was not in a classy dress and high heels, but in comfortable shoes, a turquoise T-shirt, white jeans, kneepads and holding a huge, colourful drum.

I was not alone, but among the 25 incredible women of our drumming group, The Coral Beats.

Our performance opened the conference and our leader, Sue Riihiluoma, told her incredible and passionate story of creating an all-women’s band from just a vivid vision and her desire to drum.

I listened to her inspirational speech and thought that if each of our dreams came true, the world would be different; it would be such a better and happier place to live.

If we all believed in ourselves and our own strength, if we did not did not listen to other voices telling us we can’t succeed, how many incredible things could and would happen?

In some inexplicable way my dream came true.

If you send your dreams out into this marvellous world, sometimes they are answered in unforeseeable ways.

• Nina London is a certified wellness and weight-management coach. Her mission is to support and inspire mature women to make positive changes in their body and mind. Share your inspirational stories with her at www.ninalondon.com