In this day and age, we are more likely to have more than one dream. We learn to stretch our wing span over an array of passions and learn to be a “jack of all trades”. Some of us can enjoy more than one thing but be a master at none. Others can be great at more than one thing and then just not be able to decide on one. The desirable thing to do is to be able to incorporate all you love in your everyday life, but even then, how do you isolate one or two dreams when there’s a million things that make your heart skip? How can you “catch” the right dreams when there are so many distractions and things in the way? How do you even know which dreams you should be catching?
In my first two posts, I’ve tried to provide perspective on the struggles that arise with finding, following or rediscovering dreams. This post sums up the biggest struggle that comes with following your dreams, and that is choosing a dream to follow.
At first, I wanted to lecture you on how to think through your options, but I was reminded that that’s not the issue with choosing a dream. Some of you just have too many passions and too little time, therefore some things need to be pursued now, while others just need to be let go of altogether. You only have one life to live and no matter how obvious this statement is, people tend to avoid the fact even if unintentionally. So, let me say it again. YOU only have ONE chance at this LIFE. Are you happy? What can you do to get happy? How can you maintain your happiness? What if you die tomorrow? ARE.YOU.HAPPY?
There are a few things I feel compelled to remind you of when it comes to choosing a single direction. Some of you might find this useful while others may already know this. Either way it’s pretty elementary but at the same time pretty easy to forget. When choosing a dream to follow, I find that it gets easy to focus on the wrong things. Remember to think about what you want rather than what looks good in society or what someone else wants for you. Remember to make important life decisions with your long term future in mind and not only your short term future. Remember to visualize a domino effect while thoroughly thinking through your options. How can one option lead to something else or how can it take something else away from you? Finally, remember to never ignore your heart or gut. After all, you want to make sure that no matter which way you decide to go, that you are attempting happiness to the fullest.
Once you make a decision, stick with it and don’t look back. Don’t taunt yourself with what-ifs, or hypothetical scenarios. Follow through with your decision wholeheartedly and if it fails, you should feel ecstatic that you tried, you experienced and you can move forward without it haunting you. Don’t ever think you made a wrong decision, because remember- at the time you made it, you felt it was the right thing to do. Don’t beat yourself up with hindsight reflection. If something is calling you now, follow it, be a believer in it, and see where it takes you. Sometimes it will take you nowhere, but do you think you will honestly regret trying?
Stay dreaming,
S.K.
Success is waking up in the morning, whoever you are, wherever you are, however old or young, and bounding out of bed because there’s something out there you love to do, that you believe in, that you’re good at — something that’s bigger than you are, and you can hardly wait to get at it again today.
- Whit Hobbs
I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. – Steve Jobs
