Have you ever been told that where you are going or what you want to do is not right? That what YOU are passionate about is dumb and useless? Well, this one's for you kid. As a 21-year-old college student, I am always asked "what I'm going to school for" and "what is my major." Given the response "a major in mass communications with a minor in photography," I get a lot of "oh's." Now don't get me wrong, I don't let what people say bother me most times; for heaven's sake, I had a professor tell me to major in Advertising, after I told her that I was majoring in mass communications...just let that sink in. But when I see people close to me tell others what they are focusing on in life get bashed, I am a little taken back and appalled.
You see, when someone has a dream about something - big or small - LET THEM DREAM IT. LET THEM ACHIEVE IT. LET THEM SUCCEED. For goodness sakes, help them to succeed. At least they are dreaming. At least they have a goal for their life. At least they have plans.
To the ones out there fighting to make their dreams come true, to the ones out there that have never had any support, I support you. Prove all those people that they are wrong, including that professor. Work your butt off and show them that what you have always wanted to achieve, you can do it. Help others believe that that same dream they had, they can achieve too. Be the example that a lot of people in this world need. Be that role model.
You see, I am still working on my dream. I may not be a college graduate, yet. I may not have my life all figured out, yet. I may not have experienced a lot of things in my life, yet, but goodness sakes I will be damned if I push the ones I love into the ground for the things that they dream about at night.
If you truly love them, you will support them and help them make those dreams come true.
To my fellow dreamer:
1. Write out your dreams and aspirations. This puts them into perspective and helps you to see what you actually want to happen.
2. Create a timeline. Creating a timeline will make you push harder towards those goals and when you can expect to have accomplished it.
3. Use your resources. If you know of anyone that has done what you want to do, like own a gym, reach out to a gym owner. Ask him/her how he/she became successful and see if you can work with or job shadow him/her.
4. Get out there and do it! Don't be afraid of failure. Some of the most famous and influential people failed. That is the only way of succeeding. You probably will fail before succeeding, but don't let that scare you - at least you know that you tried. Just get back up again and try it a different way.
One of the most influential Americans, Harriet Tubman, whose dream was to escape slavery said, "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
