At the moment, I am reading a memoir about a person who lost her job and chose to use the opportunity to go after her dream. A reviewer’s comment on the back cover says it perfectly: “I can never get enough of true stories about people who stop in the middle of their life’s journey to ask, ‘What do I really want?’ and then have the guts to actually go get it.” But this line, although it makes my insides flip with excitement, also brings a tinge of sadness.
The challenge of figuring out what you want from life, what will bring you contentment, is difficult. And once you’ve found it, how do you bring yourself to make that leap and go for it?
Many people were raised with the mantra that we can be anything we want to be. We are encouraged to do what makes us happy. The reality is that the recent economic environment does not support this type of outlook on life. Each time I turn on NPR, I am reminded of unemployment, an unstable economy, disappearing social security, and the fact that no one knows how to fix it.
Things are scary right now. Things feel unstable and difficult. I know it is not permanent. Yet, many of us are exhausted from balancing the extremes of following our dreams and being practical. All too often, they do not match up.
The pursuit of a dream feels incredibly delicate, a topic filled with the potential for both happiness and remorse. If we are unable to take a step toward our dream because of money, family, or other responsibilities, we still have the power to make a small step in the right direction.
Is your dream to travel overseas? Find a place within driving distance that feels vastly different from where you live. Though not the same, it will give you a glimmer of the exotic simply because it’s different. Do you dream to go back to school? Try taking a night or weekend class at a local community college. Or buy a used textbook in the area of your interest to start learning on your own. What about those who dream to become an elegant chef? Most communities have local cooking classes, and many offer classes in a variety of cuisines: Italian, French, Indian, and so on.
These small steps may not be the dream, but they can give you a taste of it. Don’t let the impractical voice stop you from exploring. Witnessing the happiness that comes from the small step can make the rest of our practical lives more bearable. Let yourself have it.
What is your dream, and what small part can you do to experience it?
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One Thought About A Small Step at a Time