Dream: A Visionary Creation Of The Imagination

I've always been a gatherer of famous sayings, and inspirational articles. I love tangible reminders that help me become a better person and remind me of the kind of life I intend to live.

Some of these inspirations have more meaning to me, at different times, depending on my life circumstances, but all of them have helped me through difficult situations and in some way have shaped who I am, and who I am becoming.

I have carried this little "inspiration" with me for 10 years now. I ripped it out of a magazine when I was a freshman in college. I have no recollection of where it came from, but it has somehow made the journey from apartment to apartment, house to house, and every emotional, physical and financial move I've made. I read it often and it always seems to ground me. I hope you enjoy!

Dream: A visionary creation of the imagination

You are in a store. You try on a garment that fits you perfectly. You try on another, but it's too large, it itches a bit, the sleeves drag on the floor. Both garments sell for the same price. Which do you buy?

It isn't a trick question: You should buy the one that fits better, of course. This logic can also apply to the way we decide to live our lives. We know intuitively that there is a life we long to have, a dream we've harbored - sometimes since childhood. But too often we decide to follow a path that is not really our own, one that others have set for us. We forget that whichever way we go, the price is the same: In both cases, we will pass through difficult and happy moments, hours of solitude, and many complex situations. But when we are living our dream, the difficulties we encounter make sense.

You may have heard the parable of the three men laboring in a field of rocks. Each is asked what he is doing. The first man says, "Can't you see? I'm breaking rocks!" The second man replies, "Can't you see? I'm earning my salary!" The third man answers, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm, "Can't you see? I'm building a cathedral!" This lovely story, which my mother first told me when I was a child, illustrates both the necessity of hard work in realizing a dream as well as the need to keep the vision in your mind's eye - even when others don't see or understand it.

The money we receive in return for our eight hours of work each day can be spent any number of ways; the only thing we cannot buy is extra time. So, during the minutes we have, I believe it is better to live a dream rather than to simply dream it. The dream is the start of something greater, something that impels us to make daring decisions. And it's true that the person who pursues a dream takes many risks. But the person who does not runs risks that are even greater.

By Paulo Coelho

Comments

[loren]

I totally needed this today! Thanks. I found your blog through dooce and i love it. keep up the good work.

[Holly Thatcher]

I love that quote! I have been thinking about putting some quotes on my blog, so now I think I will...

[kora]

I totally agree with different things meaning different things at different times. what are some more of your sayings? we'd love to read them

[kimberly]

what's new with the cabin? you havent' said in a while

[Rhinn]

Love it. thanks for the motivation.

[Mel]

Very poignant. It makes me want to get out of my chair and leave work right now! But, seriously, in addition to making you a happier person, I think following your dream is the key to success. If you do something you love, you don't mind spending a lot of time and hard work to get to the top of the field. It's not like work at all.

You should be proud that you have taken this inspirational tale to heart and have chosen something you love as your job. That alone is inspiring for me (and I bet a lot of other people too!)