My senior year of high school I dreamed of going to college to study musical theatre. I completely dedicated myself to theatre and dance through school and was ready for my hard work to finally pay off. As I was applying for numerous colleges I was constantly doubted and questioned by friends, teachers, and family. They would ask, “So what is your back up plan?” or “Don’t you want to try to be a doctor or something? You are so smart”. I don’t think the people in my life noticed how much I took these comments to heart. To my mom and dad reading this, I know it is important for me to be able to support myself when I get out of college. Yet, picking such a competitive and artistic career path was not all about making money for me. I wanted a career to where I could impact the world creatively.
After my first semester of college I decided to change my major to entertainment management. I want to get involved with the music industry after I graduate showing I still have the same goals and dreams in mind that I did my senior year of high school.
I continue to find myself questioning what has made creative dreamers in the United States get ignored so easily.
I completely understand that the world needs doctors, surgeons, nurses, fire fighters, and lawyers. These types of workers offer greatness to make our country a safe and secure environment. These individuals are saving lives and making a major difference in society.
Yet, when did society decide that artists could not save lives and offer the same impact as these particular workers? When did society decide that creativity should be out ruled by mathematics and science?
In the 1989 drama "Dead Poets Society" an actor states, “We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. So medicine, law, business, engineering – these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love – these are what we stay alive for.”
The creative dreamers I have met through high school and college are some of the most dedicated and ambitious people I have met in my life. They are filled with passion that has an overwhelming impact on the individuals around them.
Contrary to popular belief, I believe –
1. Someone’s life could be touched and saved by a theatre performance.
2. Someone is able to find themselves through dancing.
3. Art such as paintings and drawings are much more than canvases on a wall.
4. Writing fills one with hope and imagination allowing them to fight on in their own reality.
5. Traveling can bring the world peace that we have been brutally searching for.
6. Rock and Roll can save the world.
Some individual probably just read my list of beliefs and laughed out loud while drinking his or hers morning coffee. Maybe I am just some five foot naïve college student with too imaginative of a mindset. Or maybe, society has taught one to limit their views and beliefs. Individuals act like thinking critically is the only way to make an effective change in a world full of opportunities. Creative dreamers allow hope and possibility for a new future reality.
Artists have the opportunity to give powerful insight to the world if individuals would be willing to try to understand and accept this information. The world can only change if people are willing to put in the work. I challenge you to start living with an open mindset. Hopefully one day you will not have to look back and wonder what if. Take advantage of every day you are given. It is time to let creative dreamers show the world that one’s imagination can become a reality.
“We let our lives mix with our dreams like two colored paints until we didn’t know which was what and we didn’t care.” –Atticus Poetry
