There are many types of people on this interesting place we call earth–some of which follow the aspirations of their youth, some who don’t, and yet others who aren’t even sure what they want do or be.
Today on WG’s Blog, as we usually do, we’re going to drift away from the tools for a bit and discuss something important from the past that affects the present:
The Importance of Childhood Dreams & Why You Should Follow Them
To get back to just the tools, click here!
We’ll delve into this subject using three main points:
- Why We Have Dreams & Aspirations
- What Happens If We Don’t Follow Our Dreams
- The Benefits Of Following Our Childhood Dreams
Now, Let’s Begin
1. Point Number One:
Why We Have Dreams & Aspirations
- The Simple, Straight Answer:
Because it’s who we truly are.
- The Explained Answer:
You’ve heard it said, probably time and time again, that everyone is unique, different, special, etc. While this is definitely true, even in the case of identical twins, you might be wondering why this has anything to do with our dreams. It’s quite simple, actually.
You see, regardless of what your beliefs are about existence–creator or not, religious or not–the fact of the matter is that each of us are born with an inherent desire to be a certain way. We talk our own special way, our personalities are our own, we favor certain types of entertainment over others, we value things differently, and we pursue different goals for our lives. The same is true for our dreams–they are inherent.
There is a quote from one of my favorite books, The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles, which says
Doing what you want to do is life; and there is no real satisfaction in living if we are compelled to be forever doing something which we do not like to do, and can never do what we want to do. And it is certain that you can do what you want to do; the desire to do it is proof that you have within you the power which can do it.
If childhood dreams are not “that which you want to do,” then what are they? Surely they are born from the deepest area of what makes each of us individually different and unique. Created by an outside force or not, they are yours and there from the start. We may not always know immediately what our deepest dreams are, but as children are naturally curious, we are also inherently built to figure that question out–assuming we overcome our fears and seek, knock, and search.
2. Point Number Two:
What Happens If We Don’t Follow Our Dreams
- The Simple Answer:
Everyone Gets Coal In Their Stockings.
- The Explained Answer:
I feel sadly compelled to say that I know much more about this particular section that the others due to my own personal life experience. As I write this I am forty-three years of age–neither young nor old–and I suppose that an average person in my shoes could easily look back and regret a variety of things. Not having done this, not having done that–the list could grown quite long, I fear!
However, I do my best to remember that I did the best I could with who I was and what I had at the time. I truly believe that if I had been capable of doing better, then I would have. Nevertheless, the first possible effect of not following our childhood desires could easily be an ongoing and permanent sense of regret over “what could’ve been, what never was,” or “what will never be.” Do you want this? Time to change that today.
A second consequence of ignoring our inherent life’s call–and one that people often get backwards–is the effects that it has on our personal lives, as well as those of our family, friends, society–even the future of our nations and people. That’s right–one person truly does make a difference in the grand scheme of things!
Never allow yourself to be deceived into the idea that you must “sacrifice” for your family or “let go” of your dreams in order to please or take care of others. Many people say this but it’s simply untrue–quite the contrast, it’s the opposite! By following the words of Bruce Lee and being honest with yourself and who you really are, you will actually contribute to this life what it actually needed and intended to begin with: YOU.
By not believing in yourself and following your heart–something I wrote about in the film 3 Tasks–your life could likely never reach the level of happiness, greatness, or contribution that it could have. As a result, many other things could be lost, such as inspiration, innovation, love, happiness–and who knows what else. In short, by following who you were born to be, you not only advance yourself but the people and life around you.
3. Point Number Three:
The Benefits Of Following Our Childhood Dreams
- The Simple Answer:
Happiness–For Everyone–Forever.
- The Explained Answer:
Okay, so maybe the simple answer sounds more like a nice pair of rose-colored glasses. Well, the truth isn’t really all-too-far from that if you think about it.
Deciding to focus on and follow–every single day–the deep desire in your heart is what creates amazing results of which no other thing can. These concentrated and potent effects are all-encompassing to people everywhere and in ongoing doses, whether they are aware of it or not.
Again, in TSOGR, Wattles says
If no man quite filled his present place, you can see that there must be a going backward in everything. Those who do not quite fill their present places are dead weight upon society, government, commerce, and industry; they must be carried along by others at great expense. The progress of the world is retarded only by those who do not fill the places they are holding; they belong to a former age and a lower stage or plane of life, and their tendency is toward degeneration. No society could advance if every man was smaller than his place; social evolution is guided by the law of physical and mental evolution.
Now think about that for a moment. Reread it. Understand it. By simply not following the desires that were built-into your heart, you are not filling your current place and are actually going backwards and causing a drag on both yourself and society. Now compare this with the narrative so many people have that “I can’t follow my dreams because of I do then my family will suffer.” Just because you follow your dreams doesn’t mean that you have to give up your family.
Isn’t that what Miguel wanted when he argued with his family in the film Coco? “Why can’t I have both?” I remember being very unhappy with that film until I saw that moment when he was on the stairs, running away from his family, who was pressuring him to give up his dreams “for the family.” In their minds, being “family” is a very one-sided (lopsided?) issue, but to him, both could be had and coexist alongside one another just fine–which is 100% true, but sadly overlooked across the earth by many families.
The basic summary of the consequences of following your dreams is that you will lack the aforementioned regret from above, will never wonder “what if,” and will not only be happier for trying (and having tried), but you will also move society forward and be an inspiration to those around you.
How could this possibly NOT lead to happiness?
Well, that’s all for today. What are your thoughts? Do you feel pressured into doing that which you do not enjoy or want to do? Cast off those shackles and start something new today. By all means, love your family and people around you, but never allow anyone or anything to quench the special and unique fire of who you are.