Dream Believer

“We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope”

-Martin Luther King

I’ve had a very inspirational week.  I suppose this should come at no surprise being that we started it off celebrating one of the most prolific and poetic men in our country’s history.  We could all use a little Martin Luther King in our lives.  He has encouraged generation after generation to have dreams, hopes and visions of a better tomorrow.  You may not know that he was advised not to use the phrase ‘I have a dream’ in his speech.  I think I speak for all of us when I say I am relieved he did not take that particular advice.  There is a great power in words.  We have to live our lives knowing that.  We must.  We are bound to fall but as long as we always get back up, there will always be dreams waiting to be turned into realities.

It’s one of the few thing we all have in common.  Dreams.  I’m not talking about the ones we see when our eyes are closed at night after your mom and brother decide Gerald’s Game is a great movie to watch and both pass out snoring fifteen minutes later leaving you to watch a Stephen King horror solo.   Spoiler alert, this couple’s romantic get away in a cabin goes south REAL quick and there’s a man-eating dog.   I woke up in the middle of the night and thought I saw a man standing at the end of my bed, which unfortunately has actually happened to me in real life so my PTSD kicked in real hard.  No, I’m talking about our deepest wants and desires.  What we would sacrifice, bleed and sweat for.  It’s what makes you tick.  It’s the very core of your existence.  It’s why you wake up in the morning.  Some people spend their entire life searching for it.  Others deny it.  Some don’t believe they deserve it while others take great care in avoiding it but we all carry that fire within us.  Look around you and find what gives you life.  Surround yourself with people who hold you accountable, share similar priorities and make you feel alive.

I stumbled across a 1940 film called The Great Dictator.  First of all, I had no idea Charlie Chaplin was ever in movies with dialogue.  I didn’t even think he had a voice, which I realize now is possibly the dumbest thought I’ve ever had.  Although I did also think I was going to marry my 5th grade boyfriend.  That didn’t work out as you may have noticed.  Neither did my 7th grade boyfriend.  Anyway, once I got over the shock that Charlie Chaplin had a voice-box, I actually started listening to what he was saying and I was blown away at how relevant it was.   What’s even more amazing is that Mr. Chaplin wrote it himself.  If you have a minute, google it, watch it.  It’s extraordinary.

On average, about 50,000-70,000 thoughts cross our mind each day which is roughly 35 to 48 thoughts per minute.  We decide which ones to bring to life so be intentional.  In the words of one of my favorite movie characters of all time, Vegas showgirl turned Sister Mary Clarence, “If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.”  Every second of your life and what you do with it is a choice.  Except maybe family obligations.  Or when you have to go see your friend’s improv show.  Or when your mom tells a boy’s mom that you’ll go to prom with him.  #lakme  Everything else is a choice.  Believe me when I say people are where they want to be 99% of the time.  Remember that.

So in honor of Doctor King, I just want to send a shout out to all of those who have embraced their talents and inspired others to do the same.  We are surrounded by things and people and signs and acts of kindness with the power to move us but let’s not forget that we, too, are also capable of moving others.  He had a dream, she has dreams and there will always be dreamers.  I’ve dreamt of many things in my life.  I aspire to be so much more than I am today.  I hope you find what you’re looking for.  I hope you’re aware of the potential you possess.  I hope that you’re in love with your life and, like all love, realize that it won’t be perfect.  Above all, I hope that you dream and unlike Martin Luther King, I hope that you’re alive to see those dreams come to fruition.  With dreams come hope and with hope comes endless possibility.  Never give up on your day dream.