Having reached an age where I am not quite jaded enough to accept that I may never attain my dreams and just young and dumb enough to believe that relentless pursuit may still yield rewards, alas, I am still not even close to where I want to be.
How many out there can still remember what their dreams were as young women and men?
For those who have found a fruitful career in the subject of their passion, what does it feel like?
For those who haven’t, have you given up? Have you put it aside? What is the greatest killer of your aspirations? Is it really just bills and the 9-5?
I’ve done this poll with quite a few people . Revealingly, it turns out that a lot of people have never identified their dreams. They had an idea that they wanted certain things, both materially and spiritually. I’ve concluded that the greatest killer of dreams and aspirations is the realization that you’ve never had one.
…suddenly you’re married with children, a mortgage and perhaps parents to look after.
Don’t assume that your dreams will always be the same. As you evolve, your priorities might change and new dreams would replace the old ones. Learn to let go and re-aim.
WAY long ago I wanted to be an astronaut, maybe a rock star, later ambitions of playing golf. But time, and realization of my true abilities and “Sweet Leaf” and suddenly “ten years had got behind me, noone told me when to run…” and like (but opposite of) what Peppy said, …suddenly you’re [NOT] married with children, [NO] mortgage, [paycheck-to-paycheck] and [still] perhaps parents to look after
Some of the dreams/aspirations I have had over the years:
Artist - Sent in several of those little “artist quizzes” that used to be in comic books, etc. and used to draw animals, especially horses all the time. Was pretty good at it, too. Not sure when or how that went away but I haven’t drawn anything in forever.
Oceanographer - Spent several years dreaming about this one (from maybe 8-11yrs old). Had tons of books about whales, dolphins, any sort of fish. Would tell anyone who would listen that this is what I wanted to be. Yet, I would not see an actual ocean until about 25 years later!!
Disc Jockey - Oh, this was a big one. I thought that when you were a DJ you would pick out all your own music and plan your own contests, etc.
Journalist/Writer - I actually majored in journalism in college, but somewhere along the line lost my desire to write, or at least my desire to learn more about how to write or be a journalist. I really am not sure where it went.
I think the killer of these aspirations is “real” life creeping in, as others have said.
But my real dream has been just to live life the way I want to live it and to be happy. And I think so far that part of the dream is working out.
Of the few dreams for what my life might be, how I would be happiest, what I would accomplish, etc., I think the difference between dream and reality can fall into a few general categories:
It wasn’t a “serious” dream after all and just faded with time
I tried it and didn’t like it
I tried it and realized I hadn’t the needed talent
I found a compromise that suited the flavor of the dream without its substance
I found out the dream was stupidly naive and tossed it
I’m still working on making the dream happen
Other commitments and realities keep getting top priority
I’m just too damn lazy to worry about it – or figure it’ll just come my way by waiting
Finally, to quote HelloKitty:
But my real dream has been just to live life the way I want to live it and to be happy. And I think so far that part of the dream is working out.
I still have my dreams to be an accomplished artist, writer, performer, musician… well, pretty much a jack of all artistic trades. It feels pretty good to be on the way there.
I have decided not to have kids because they just aren’t compatible with me or what I want to accomplish, and I’m starting to get the feeling I may end up forsaking ever being married at all, too. I definitely put my work before anything else, though (not that I ignore my bf or anything…)
and “Sweet Leaf” and suddenly “ten years had got behind me, noone told me when to run…” and like (but opposite of) what Peppy said, …suddenly you’re [NOT] married with children, [NO] mortgage, [paycheck-to-paycheck] and [still] perhaps parents to look after