When were we told that we are too old to dream? Unfortunately, this might have been a perpetual lesson that has been engrained throughout our lives because of societies conditioned ways of thinking. Remember when you were a child and one week you wanted to be the President of the United States, the next month you yearned to become an astronaut, and then the following year your focus was on becoming a ballerina? What happened to that innocent excitement that all of us possessed during our formative years? There are a number of factors which lead to the extinguishing of dreams, but there is nothing as powerful as being told to think “realistically,” or to “stop dreaming.” These comments may have originated from our parents, friends, teachers, preachers, or anyone else who entered our world and were already jaded as a result of conforming to what society stresses as the “normal way of thinking.” But dreams are where realities are born and over the course of time, with consistent effort and focus, these thoughts become real things and the dream is manifested.
The reason I have introduced this concept of dreaming is because this happens to be one of the many lessons that I learned on my Costa Rican getaway with Lindsay. This concept reinforced a philosophy which I consistently share, but which was clarified on our travels. While in Costa Rica, both Lindsay and I yearned to immerse ourselves in the culture and experience everything that is indigenous to this country. As a result, we hired a private tour guide who took us on horseback through miles of coffee plantations, rain forests, and lush landscape that makes Costa Rica like no other place on earth. During this excursion, Lindsay and I shared many stories with our guide about our life and the exciting changes on the horizon, (which you can read about at the end of this blog post). In addition, we asked numerous questions in order to understand what brought this gentleman to Costa Rica. We learned that he is a 57 year old man, who was born in Italy, but desired to escape the materialistic life that his family was leading; and instead, enjoy a life of simplicity. As he continued talking, he began to get extremely excited as he proclaimed, “My dream is to purchase a plot of land on the pacific coast of Costa Rica and become a welder, but not for the purpose of making money, just because this is something that I thoroughly enjoy. I am not there yet, but I know that someday I will be able to accomplish my dream.” When our guide made this statement, he had that same childish glow that all of us had when we emphasized our desire to become an astronaut, athlete, or dancer. Our guide did not allow himself to be extinguished by the conditioned way of thinking that society has used to “make us more realistic,” and instead, he shared his dream with the same excitement that he had when it first entered his mind. He is a believer and has fortunately been inflicted with a virus that I refer to as the DREAMERS DISEASE.
I share this story because I found it to be enlightening and inspiring at the same time. I share this story because I hope that at least one of you, if not all of you, become honest with yourself with regards to your dreams. I share this story because I hope that you realize that whether you are 6, 16, 56, or 86 years old, it is never too late to dream. And finally, I share this story with the hope that you will now be inflicted with the DREAMERS DISEASE.
Many people are reluctant to dream because of the potential disappointment that might manifest, while others consider this act as a something juvenile. But regardless of your rationale, I encourage you to realize that a life without dreams is one without life. Dreams are our internal desires that make us who we are and motivate us to “keep at it,” regardless of the surrounding circumstances. The beauty of dreams is that they are unique to the beholder and are often derived from the unexplainable when viewed from the outside world, but when we search within, these dreams make sense and become our guiding purpose. Our dreams are one of the reasons that we do whatever it is that we do each and every day in order to get one step closer to making this thought real. But if this does not resonate with you, it may be as a result of living a dreamless life.
Remember, there is no age when dreaming becomes obsolete or juvenile, and at any point, your dream of finding true love (even if you have been single for years or divorced multiple times), publishing a book, starting a company, having children, or becoming a welder in Costa Rica has the potential to manifest, as long as you never lose sight of what you desire to achieve and stay inflicted with the DREAMERS DISEASE.
UPDATES:
I was published, once again, on My Daily Insights and I encourage all of you to read the story entitled “The Lemon Squeeze.” The lessons that can be learned from this piece of writing are profound as they will inspire you to realize that your “fears” are preventing you from living the life of your dreams. As a result of this publication, we have 392 new members (and counting) who have joined Brandentity and have become part of the IDENTITY REVOLUTION! Get ready to learn who you are, what you stand for, and what makes you…YOU!
As many of know, Lindsay and I live an extremely “on-the-go” lifestyle and we are back at it again because she earned the opportunity to complete one of her missions in life by volunteering for an organization based out of Maryland. Therefore, we will be moving to Virginia next Friday and you better believe that growth, on all levels, will be taking place and I plan on sharing this experience with all of you. I feel so fortunate to be able to support her on this quest…
So until next week, I encourage you to begin living a life where you permit yourself to be inflicted by the DREAMERS DISEASE!
What do you think…? Please leave a comment.
Thank you flickr for your pictures.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I am 62. I have 5 children whose ages range from 33-19. I have been a single parent -literally raising them by myself for 20 years. 2 of my children have special needs. 4 have battled with alcohol in their young adult lives. My dream is they would stop drinking- go to AA- give up negative people and jobs. Change their lifestyle. Go back to school and find peace and postive circumstances in their lives. As of today, 4 have given up alcohol; 4 are going to AA; 4 have given up negative people, lifestyles and jobs. 5 work- 4 have vehicles, bank accounts, phones, positive living situations and a loving supportive environment and family. 4 -FOUR are registered to return to school. My DREAM is coming true! They all have turned their life to GOD and are finding peace.
Note: I realized 2 years ago in 2007-2009 when my family had completely fallen apart; I cannot change them, I can only change myself. I have been changing for the past 2 years. I just got quiet, I prayed, meditated, listened to His voice and Wisdom. I became a silent, quiet presence. I turned inward and let them all take responsibility for their own lives. I stopped saving (let God do it) enabling (not mine to solve) cajoling (nothing to say) worrying (not mine to consider). I was there and available IF they asked. I was invisible and busy with my own inner peace IF they did not ask. I did not intrude, insert, insist. I stayed (and stay) silent. When they started to change and asked for assistance (filling out school forms) (calling insurance companies) I was available. I quietly taught them to listen, hear another person, negotiate and interact with the adult world. I became the facilitator (with new found wisdom) not the enabler. I still remain silent unless asked. My role is my life and my relationship to God. Their role is to go find their lives and their relationship to Him. I am blessed and thank God daily of His amazing Hand in these 4 miracles (almost 5). There always has to be a hold-out ya know! Oh well- not mine to worry about! (their ages 33- catastrophic head injury- works full time- changing- going to school;27-Bipolar (chronic)-changing -works-going to school full time- car; 25 -gave up alcohol- in AA- working (still wandering)(in denial) studying to go to grad school- apt -car; 21- typical kid- gave up alcohol-in AA and counseling and group support- works full time and going to school-has own apt-car; 19-typical kid-doesnt drink-works full time- going to school- has own apt-car. They all work- out and are active in sports. My job is done (minus the silence and prayer with one) I quietly wait, meditate and pray- I follow my own life.
I couldn’t agree with you more!!!! I never stopped dreaming, and as a result, my dream came true, and continually comes true each and every day that I wake up. Life is an uphill battle, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a negative fight to the finish. Uphill is challenging but with each twist and turn anything and everything is possible. So Jared, keep dreaming big, living in your own reality, and never stop sharing what you feel and believing in the concept of endless possiblities–I am a living example of this!!!!
I have big dreams and it was when I finally left the home of my parents, some 30 years ago, that I knew I was FREE to do as I pleased. So I created the life I wanted, the family life I wanted, and I taught my kids to also dream and do. I didn’t realize what I was doing at the time, but I’m sure aware of it now! And I’m pretty happy because my adult sons are creating what they want in their lives. It’s sad when some of my adult clients tell me that they have no dreams, that they have to be in the job that they have, etc. They can’t imagine another life. And that’s because somewhere along the way, they were told that what they wanted is stupid or impossible or “who do you think you are?!” Sound familiar?
A friend/coach told me at the beginning of this year, that I taught my sons to think for themselves. You see, I don’t rain on anyone’s parade. I tell them that they can have whatever they want and I encourage them to go after it. I meet people who I encourage and they are very sadly, very condescending of their dreams and desires. they say they want something, but they talk themselves out of it, instead.
The world needs dreamers and doers. The ones who dream that do, that is.
Guess what…According to the U.S. Census bureau, it is estimated that the population of people becoming 100 years old and older is expected to rise 746% between 2005 and 2035! That means that if you are 50 years old, you realistically expect to live another 50 years!! Your ‘Dreamers Disease’ has a better chance than ever of taking ‘infecting’ you and ‘affecting’ your reality for allot longer than you once expected
You can never be too old to dream. Thats final. Dreams only die when we do. Live a bit longer folks.