Dreams and why they’re important
When I was younger, my dream was to be a ballerina, an astronaut and a doctor. I felt that I could accomplish these dreams because no one ever said, ‘Hey, you’re already almost as tall as most male ballet dancers and you’re only seven’ or ‘An ASTRONAUT? Do you see any black astronauts?’ My parents told me that I could be whatever I chose to be as long as I worked hard. Mind you, they were leaning towards that doctor gig, but they didn’t rain on my parade. I took ballet lessons, I read about the cosmos and developed a crush on Carl Sagan as I grew up and I watched endless hours of medical shows. Remember, I grew up in the age of “Medical Center”, “Marcus Welby, MD”, and of course, my personal favorite, “Trapper John, MD” which gave me the triple whammy of Pernell Roberts, Brian Stokes Mitchell (he wasn’t using the “Stokes” then) and the ever lovely and talented, Gregory Harrison. (I’ve got a thing for curly haired guys, sue me).
I took courses that would help me achieve my goal, but then things changed. I started to realize that while I probably wouldn’t be any of those things I still had dreams. I didn’t lose hope because the others were unattainable…believe me, at five eleven I wouldn’t have made a prima ballerina or even the corps de ballet, but it wasn’t that. I had altered my goals and my desires because my head had finally listened to my soul and my heart.
Making people laugh, making them happy, being helpful and useful feeds me like nothing else does. I enjoy seeing faces light up with joy and often incredulity at my silliness. The muscles in my jaw relax when I know I’ve made a difference in someone’s life. When I encourage my kids to reach for their dreams, to keep them alive no matter what, I am positive that they’ll have confidence in what they do because someone believes in them.
How often do we discount our own dreams because they seem impossible? How many times have we used that negative self speak to talk ourselves out of something that could potentially be wonderful?
What does it matter if we don’t succeed right off the bat? Will it kill us?
Nope, it won’t. So why are you waiting for some ship to come in?
Why are you impeding your own progress? You might not have the resources immediately available, but if you do your homework and make yourself available, chances are opportunity will knock loud and clear and you’ll be prepared.
It’s important to dream. It’s important to have goals. It’s just as vital that you prepare yourself. Don’t sit on the sidelines and say ‘I wish…’ Get on the field and make some noise.
That’s what I am telling myself every day and every day that voice gets louder and louder. That voice cheers me on to the next block when I’m too worn out emotionally to propel my feet another step. That voice drowns out any negative thoughts when I’m writing. It tells me that all things are possible if I’ll only believe.
What do you believe? Do you think you have the courage to walk with an open heart to your destiny?
The Doobie Brothers have a great line in one of their songs: You’ll always have the chance to give up…why do it now?
Keep on truckin’. Keep on dreaming. Keep on believing. The alternative is boring.
Any sap can give up and settle for what is familiar and safe. Take that first step.
Believe in yourself. You’re pretty spectacular.