Are your dreams your own?
When I was a younger man, I was passionate about carving out an authentic path independent of social norms and the expectations of family and friends. I wanted my life to be a true, unique expression of who I am.
As an older man, I see that there is value in tradition, customs and norms. We are products of our past and members of a community.
I love the following quote from film-maker Steven Spielberg because it reminds me of the importance of connection with self in carving out a true path.
“Dreams always come from behind you, not right between your eyes. They sneak up on you. When you have a dream, it doesn’t often come at you screaming in your face, “This is who you are, this is what you must be for the rest of your life.” Sometimes a dream almost whispers.
And I’ve always said to my kids, the hardest thing to listen — to your instincts, your personal intuition— because it always whispers; it never shouts. It’s very hard to hear.
So you have to be ready to hear what whispers in your ear. And if you can listen to the whisper, and if it tickles your heart, and it’s something that you think you want to do for the rest of your life, then that is going to be what you do, and we will all benefit from that.”
So if you can, stop what you are doing, take a few deep breaths – and listen carefully. Because authentic paths often come as a whisper.
Have a great week everyone.
