Yesterday, I wrote about dreams. I was feeling pretty good about the post until I realized that I had neglected to say what happened when dreams don't come true.
It's no secret that some of my dreams have come true ... and some haven't. Isn't it that way with most of us? When a dream doesn't come true, it's easy to fall into a funk, to give up on it. After getting my upteenth book rejection, I was ready to give up on writing. Why should I keep banging my head against a wall?
A rejection letter from one editor suggested, ever so politely, that I find a new occupation. After engaging in a pity party where I indulged in copious amounts of chocolate, I got up, dusted myself off, and started again. I couldn't, wouldn't, give up on my dream.
What dream have you been tempted to give up on? Has someone tried to steal it from you? Has life beat you down until you can't even see that dream that once burned so brightly? I hope not. But if you have ever considered giving up on a dream, grab on to it. Grasp it, clutch it to your heart, and start over. Take the steps necessary to make it come true.
Maybe that dream needs to grow. Or maybe you need to grow, to look at it in another way. A fresh way. The important thing is that you never give up.
My husband dreamed of owning a business. He and a partner started in a small rented room, an old computer, and second-hand furniture. With a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and a large dose of faith, he made his dream come true.
So, for today, I am grateful for those who make their dreams come true.
Dreams do take work and I know I've often felt like giving up on some of mine. It's hard not to when you're feeling beaten down. I'm SO glad I didn't give up on the dream of obtaining my CPA license. They tried to beat me down and stop me from continuing but in the end, I perservered. I'm glad you've also perservered with some of your dreams.
ReplyDeleteThis post reminds me of something Larry once said about writing. I can't remember his exact words, but it was something to the effect that a true writer HAS to write; it's a compulsion.
ReplyDeleteI disagree, but let me explain. I think that it can be suppressed, buried, and "busied" out of your life, but only at the peril of becoming sick in your soul. That's what happens when we give up on dreams. They make us soul-sick.
On the other hand, following your dreams can be a long, weary, tiresome burden of work which can often make us ask why we bother at all.
I'd rather fall into bed bone tired at night from following my dreams than to have a bedridden soul.