I was once told a story of a man, a man with tremendous dreams, plans to change the world and goals to set milestones. He cut the anchor holding him in place and aimed his sights for the highest pinnacle. Further and further he pushed, examining every trail and overcoming every obstacle, proving the naysayers wrong and pursuing what others found unattainable. He grappled and quarreled until the moment came when his unaccompanied journey met its end, and he retraced his steps back into the herd. He bound himself with commitments to a decent wife, a meaningful job, a safe community, and two children. The man’s life was good, and he was content.
I was told this story at a time when my own dreams, plans and goals were called into question. Could I ever really attain the level of success of which I dreamed? Were my plans of traveling to distant lands and embarking on perilous adventures simply folly? Did my goals hold any real substance or value?
I was told to settle.
The storyteller knew the man personally. He had tried so hard to break free of the chains of normalcy, but was simply thrust back into a common place. Why should the storyteller, why should I, even think of something more than average when that was the best we could ever accomplish?
I felt immediate sorrow for the storyteller.
How meaningless it must feel not to dream, to lose sense of reality for a few fleeting moments and not think of yourself on the cobblestone streets of a European village, or standing behind a podium in front of thousands who are waiting for your voice to ring out through the speakers, to lay awake at night with your head resting on the pillow and not imagine your name in lights.
The storyteller had missed the point entirely.
The man was not a failure, because he had not attained the level for which he strived, quite the contrary, the man deserved all due credit. He had aimed for greatness, and realizing after all of his persistent trying that he had reached his breaking point, he fell happily into contentment. He was only happy now, because of the dreams he pursued.
For it is not the man who finishes short that is considered the failure, but the man who does not try.
So, I say dream uncommonly. Set goals that seem incredible. Do not hinder your imagination, but surrender, if only for a moment, to the thoughts of all you might achieve. Do not set your sights simply for content, for if you fall short, you are left in mediocrity and sorrow, wondering what might have been.
You and I only get one chance at this life. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by. We owe it to ourselves to strive for the improbable.
Dream immensely.
