An Amazing Example Of Following Your Dreams
I was surprised the other night when an ex-girlfriend began messaging me on msn (the Mormon for those of you keeping score). As anyone who knows how we met (and if you know how we ended up on each others msn in the first place PLEASE let me know!) she has a peculiar way of chatting that to the uninitiated can seem like an interrogation. After grilling me about my life she casually mentioned how she’s been married for a year at which point it hits me, not only are 2 former paramours of mine married but have been so for over a year now. It makes me a little sad, not that I missed opportunities with them as I know we weren’t right for each other but the idea of marriage and that I don’t see that happening any time soon.
She also intimated that I have a small army of Asian friends. Misread you might think I only had Asian friends. It seems trite but I really don’t think of them in those terms. I don’t think she meant it that way either, she was just trying to describe some people who she hadn’t seen in years and whose names she had forgotten.
One thing she said that definitely stood out for me was when I told her about my new job with a company I’ve been with for 10 years now she said I was “an amazing example of following your dreams”
Me?
I gave up on a career in acting upon graduating high school because there was no job security. Plus I’m just not that ruthless, I’m no cutthroat like Lindsey Lohan. I wanted to be one of the first in my group of friends to get married. I wanted to study Physics but had to give it up because my grasp of Chemistry was so poor.
In my new job I make sure everyone is wearing the proper uniform - hardly the stuff of dreams. In fact I daresay it’s firmly rooted in the mundane. But I got to thinking about this and I am working at the company I wanted to, I manage my own department, and this new position is a step towards future goals. I have accomplished a lot. I won a employee recognition program at work, I was an Assistant Manager, I have my own business cards, a corporate cell is on the way and I’ve had one in the past (I know, weird dreams have I), I was a motivational speaker to hundreds of people both young and old to record-setting positive reviews from the audiences, I’ve ushered dozens if not hundreds of young people into their first jobs, I’ve saved the day so many times I’ve become known for it and perhaps most importantly, I’m needed.
Following my dreams? Heck ya, I guess I am. So what advice does this example have? Like with improv, don’t fall in love with an idea - keep your dreams flexible and adaptive. And of course it doesn’t hurt to have humble dreams…so long as all paths eventually lead to world domination.
