Lean Into Your Dream

Have you ever had a dream that’s been left unfinished? For most people, this happens. What’s important is to maintain the perspective that unrealized dreams aren't necessarily bad, nor are they failures.

For example, say you know a young kid who dreams of playing in the NBA. Every day, rain or shine, in pursuit of his dreams, he practices in his driveway. He shoots 200 free throws and commits to intense ball dribbling exercises. As time goes on, his dream of playing in the NBA begins to fade. Instead, he takes up other interests, or has friends who discourage him, or just didn't grow past 5' 6". In the end, he didn't realize his dream. He didn’t make it to the NBA, but he did become better, and not just at basketball. He pushed himself physically and mentally. He learned about himself. He met friends and mentors. His time in pursuit of his dream had purpose.  

Dreams are motivation. For the kid dreaming of playing in the NBA and for all of us, dreams help us focus and give us a call to action. Dreams amplify, excite, and invigorate our journey.

And thus, it’s critical that when we, for one reason or another, hit a dead-end with one particular dream, we should not live in the past with regrets. In other words, we can let dreams die, but should never stop dreaming.

As we realize some dreams are just not practical, but they are helpful and we need to acknowledge the power of a dream. Dreams do sustain our vision of a greater future.