An Open Letter to Dreamers
The lights are off and the house is mostly quiet. Maybe the kids have already gone to sleep, or perhaps your significant other has already been snoring for an hour. You’re now alone with your thoughts. The moon light is now your companion as you try to find a way to turn off the anxious thoughts that seek to keep to awake. “I should be asleep right now,” you sigh, thinking of how busy your day will become once morning arrives. You can feel your heart thump in rhythm as you toss and turn thinking of how you’re going to reach the promised land of your hopes and dreams. Dreams are free, but execution comes at a price.
Ambition is often celebrated and praised in today’s world. Everyone wants to be the best at something. But how many people are willing to talk about the feelings that often come with being highly ambitious. Highly ambitious people are more susceptible to feelings of failure, especially when we they aren’t able to meet their own lofty standards. We’ve been encouraged to dream big and pursue big goals ever since we were children. Most people we encounter in life have buried their dreams long ago and have accepted life as it is. But that’s not you. You want more. You want wealth. You want freedom. You want to change the landscape of your family forever. You find yourself day dreaming about helping others or finally having the ability to live life on your terms.
People watch you and wonder why you’re so obsessed with taking yourself to the next level. “You’re selfish,” they may say. “Why do you want more? You’ve got a good job. Nobody in our family has ever done that before.” You see, they won’t understand what drives you to become the best version of yourself. This road isn’t for the faint of heart, I learned that long ago. Who do you vent too when most of the world has settled? Who truly understands the pain of having to bounce back after another failed business attempt that you swore would work? How many can relate to the unquenchable fire you’ve lit under yourself? Not many and that’s okay because there are people who do. I’m one of them.
I know how it feels to be misunderstood. Big dreams can feel like a heavyweight some days. There are times when it seems like nothing is working, no matter how hard you try, and you still have responsibilities. I’ve been there. You feel may feel like your dreams are slowly slipping away. I’m here to tell you today, that your dreams are alive and well. You've just hit a patch where you need to be reminded of your power. There is no perfect sequence of steps that’ll take you from where you are, to where you want to go. Every single one of us with a big dreams are trying to figure this thing out. I know you’ve probably received advice from well meaning people who’ve told you to just change your attitude or try to convince you not to feel frustrated when you’ve reached your wits end. Listen to me my friend, it’s alright to feel anxiety. It’s okay to wonder if you’re making the right decisions. It’s normal to feel worn out from the day to day grind. Don’t you ever feel bad for being human. Remember most people, don’t understand the life of a big dreamer. Desiring more than what’s considered normal is foreign to most.
Today, I ask you to allow yourself to feel. Close your eyes for a moment and take a deep breath. What are you thinking right now? What have your thoughts been like over the past few weeks? What thoughts have entered and left your mind just now? I wrote this letter to encourage you to continue moving forward, but to also acknowledge how you feel when things don’t appear to be going well. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that how you feel is normal. Even superman/superwoman needs a shoulder to lean on from time to time. Find people who are on a similar journey. People like this have become a lifeline for me. Link up with like minded individuals. I’ve found incredible strength by talking with people who can relate. But above all, never give up. The road won’t be easy, but it’s worth it. Keep believing in yourself. Keep believing in your dreams and remember that anything worth having, requires the best of you. Become devoted to learning. Reading has changed my life and I guarantee it’ll change yours too. I will never stop being a student in life, for there is always something to learn. Adjust if you have to but there is never one road to success.
I leave you with this today. Dare to dream big even if others around you are thinking small. Upgrade your circle if you have to. This is your season. This is your time. You will get all that you’ve desired out of life, if you keep pushing for it.