Protecting your dreams 16

[rotw]

Time flies and things change in your life. People get married, some have children, with time comes obligations, responsibilities increase. People go through personal challenges, health challenges, money challenges whatever,...
Sometimes all it takes is just a bad career move. Another time its your boss who tells you that the company need to let some people go ; came out you are one of those. Or again its just an A$$hole that pissed you off to the point where you could not take more.

Then there is a point in your life you start to think its maybe the moment to start making a compromise, to be "wise". And so you do and so you try till you painfully realize that you are living the life of someone else instead of living your dream. It was your dream and it did belong to you but you lost it for the sake of social stability and thousand of other reasons.
Whether you are well paid or not, whether you live to the highest standard was not the real point. You can only be happy doing what you love - end of story. There is no other way: you want your dream back.

How far would you go to protect your dreams ? Its a very personal question, I can imagine.
Would you like to share your stories ? I am sure there will be some useful lessons learned and an education for me.

My dream was to become a mechanical engineer, since 20 year. I feed I did not protect my dream enough and I lost it as I am doing a job that is not for me. The lesson I learned is that the pain you may experience daily to protect your dream, such us giving up your pride and ego, all the suffering from the hard work and late hours is NOTHING compared to the pain of loosing your dream. I learned that its important to thank life for all the gifts we have as its the best way to keep them. I feel I did not do it enough.

Sorry its not a very technical topic... please forgive the bad quality of my English.

 

[Maui]

Rotw,

What you view as a dream opportunity might look like a nightmare to someone else. This principle can be expanded to apply to relationships as well. I know men who feel as though they are the luckiest person on earth for finding and marrying the woman of their dreams. But viewing their relationship from my perspective, these women are so unappreciative, disrespectful, and arrogant that I couldn't tolerate living with some of them for even a single day. To each his own.

This quote seems to be appropriate for this discussion:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

- Max Ehrmann

Maui

 

[TheTick]

Maui:
You forgot to erroneously attribute that quote to George Carlin. Poor Internet posting form.

 

[wtxhorsman]

This thread was a long interesting read, but has anyone considered what happens next for when you have achieved your dream or failed to achieve it after spending so much time chasing it? I would imagine it's rather difficult to reevaluate what you want after spending so much time chasing after this ideal you have in your head. I can't think of any specific quotes but if this is a topic of interest for you I recommend reading The Alchemist. It is a whole story dedicated to following your heart and chasing your dreams after all.

 

[nickelkid]

I have had to make adjustments in life to accommodate family. Living my "dream" just did not fit. It was tough to make the change, but worth it. Honestly, I have no regrets, for 5 years, I lived my "dream." I imagine that if I did not, I would not be very happy today.