Dreams Can Be Burdens

Just some late night thoughts inspired by a conversation with a friend.

Dreams can be burdens.  

I'm not talking about the dreams you have when you sleep - though I probably will in a future blog.  I'm talking about the dreams you have about your life.

This will not be a popular view, but I think it's worth sharing.  In the middle ages in most parts of the world - there was no encouragement to have large aspirations.  You could not rise from a peasant and become a king - it was not possible, so it was not considered.

Today this is possible.  Anyone seemingly can become rich or famous or powerful or all of those.  I think this is one of the most appealing aspects of our society which has caused the world slowly but surely adopt the concept of the "American Dream" - rags to riches.

But this is my concern.  I live in Los Angeles (which is the same as "Hollywood" in this context).  It is the media capital of the world.  It is filled with people with aspirations to act, direct, write, sing, or in some way shine.  What's more surprising is that many of these people are really incredible beings.  Smart, charismatic, multifaceted, often beautiful - these people are so often truly remarkable.  And sadly, their lives are totally wasted.

How many brilliant actor/writers do I know or have I met who work one or two jobs way below their capacity level because it matches their schedule to leave them tim to audition or write or whatever.  You might think, "Well they're not that talented probably."  You'd be amazed at the talent that is here and remains undiscovered.

So what does this have to do with dreaming?

Dreaming is nothing without action.  Pursuing.  If you are embarking on a path with a dream, you had better really believe in it and risk everything and honor that dream.  Anything at all that holds you back will be the thing which stops you.

Imagine you're on a plane that has one tank of gas.  You're traveling to a distant island that is your dream.  Do you believe that this tank of gas will get you there?

Most people travel nearly half way and realize - they still don't see the dream island - so they figure they had better turn back around and head back home.  Now they've spent all their lives traveling and arrived right back where they started where as the people who remained behind did all kinds of wonderful things.

Some people travel beyond half way - then lose faith and try to get back home with only 1/4 a tank of gas for a 3/4 tank flight.  They crash and never make it back home.

It takes a full tank of gas to get to that island.  And by the time you land - that tank is empty and you had better have the skills to land that plane or it was all for nothing.

A friend of mine recently told me she decided to not be an actress.  I have watched her in the last few years really come into a great personality and I really wanted her to succeed.  However, I think she should stop and I think she'll have a better life for it.  I know so many people who continue to struggle year after year and are not happy - but as much as they want their goals - they refuse to let go of the extra weight which holds them back.  They're always on the edge of turning that plane around.

If your dream is not the thing around which your life revolves - whether it be in the entertainment  industry or international business or law or whatever that difficult task is - if it is not the thing that really makes you tick - a dream can trap you and rob you of a happy life.

So if you have a dream... not a hobby... but a dream... not a fondness of something or a interest in something - but a dream... you need to make a decision.  Will you pursue that dream all the way beyond the point of no return or will you let it go and lead a happy life?

So if you have a dream.  Stop dreaming and start acting on it and whenever you feel yourself wavering... remember that the minute you veer off course, you're tank of gas will no longer take you there.

And good luck.