On Realizing Dreams

So after a two-week break, I'm ready to blog again. Perhaps this is because my days have been fairly uneventful, from a blogging perspective. Just going to work every day, and relaxing in the evenings and on weekends with a pint and some friends, or a video game, or a book. I know this isn't really a good excuse, there are always things to talk about. That's why, thanks to WordPress, I think I'll get back into this daily thing.

I wrote a post a while back based on a prompt from this blog sponsored by WordPress. I haven't done more prompts by them mostly because I'm lazy, but sometimes because they're ridiculous. I'm realizing now that I should use the prompts anyway, and exercise as much freedom as necessary... even blogging about how they're bad prompts. Maybe skip days when I have some of my own ideas. But I need something to keep ideas flowing daily, and I think this is a good thing. As motivation for myself, I've put up a little banner in the left column of my blog, linking to the site and pronouncing myself part of Post-A-Day 2011.

Why do some people’s dreams get realized, and others don’t?

This is an interesting topic for me. I feel like someone who has dreamed of big things and accomplished them, and do my best to continue to do so. I've written a book (though not published... yet). I've moved to Scotland. I'm studying a degree in Computing Science. But I don't think the fact I've done these things makes me different from other people, that I can realize my dreams but others can't. I believe everyone can.

Some people's dreams are set too high, or they expect too much from themselves. I think it's fine to have big dreams, but it's necessary to realize they can take more time or energy than first expected. Then sometimes people are born into a family or time period that is more difficult than others, so it's harder to realize "bigger" dreams. It's true some people have it easier than others. Becoming a billionaire is easier when you're born to parents who are already millionaires, for example.

On the other hand, some people have dreams that might not be considered "big," like growing up, raising a family, and spending your whole life in one small town. That doesn't mean they've wasted their life, or not realized their dreams. If they want a simple life, they've lived how they wanted to live. Perhaps their dreams are simpler to bring into their lives than for other people. And of course, even this is relative. Some countries are so poor it's difficult to live a life like this.

If you're dreaming of writing the next big novel, or becoming an olympic athlete, or being a successful businessperson, I say go for it. No matter who you are or where you come from. Just remember to be patient, and always take opportunities when they come along.