...the title was inspired by Journey now playing on Oprah.
When I was younger I had many dreams. They varied between what I wanted to be to places I wanted to visit and things I wanted to have. Looking back I’ve accomplished many of them, either by travelling or getting things for myself.
Being the only child I was spoiled, but I also taught discipline. I had to work in order to get something. My parents believed in hard work and for me to appreciate the things I had. I think they were right. When I was a teen I long for a compact sound system (radio, tape deck and turn table all in one). I would often remind my parents about it. My father’s usual answer was always to ask me if I “really” thought I deserved it. I would come up with different answers, which he would refute with more arguments, and questions to a point where I felt that maybe I didn’t deserve it or even worst, maybe I didn’t really want it. I, not only, had to physically work for it but also mentally do so. It made me realise how bad I did want something or not, and what I was willing to sacrifice to get it.
When (and if) I would get it, I was beyond myself. I would take care of it and cherish it. I appreciated it. My father’s way was a little cruel, but it did make me aware of the work involve in order to get something. I knew I had something to do other than just ask and wait for it to pop up. It was not owed to me in anyway; I had to deserve it, but most of all I had to really want it. I guess I had to have faith.
Is there still faith out in today’s world? I wonder about that. Oh, we do believe in the power of money, and instant gratification, but do we still have dreams? I don’t think so. Many people lack ambition, or simply are not willing to put in the effort. Or is it because they expect it, as if it is owed to them? What do you think?
10 comments:
Honestly, I still have tons of dreams. It would make me very sad to find out that people do not have them anymore. Sometimes, those dreams are the only things that can drag me through the here and now.
Whenever I want something very bad, and am working hard for it, I think of the advice Ms. Lydia Grant gave the kids in Fame. yes, this is beyond cheesy, but it makes me smile, and reminds me that I need to push through to get what I want.
I've got Journey in my head now!
Sometimes my dreams are a bit vague, but i do know there is loads i want to do before i die. Mostly travel, i think. I want to see loads!
I think a lot of people today expect things. If it's work, it's not worth it, seems to be the mentality. Every once in a while you hear a story of someone who believed in their dreams and followed it through until they got what they wanted. I think it depends on the individual and how they were raised.
I still have dreams, and I know I have to work hard to achieve them; but...my dreams have changed over time and life circumstances.
I was over-indulged with "stuff" as a kid, but they were guilt offerings—stuff was a replacement for love.
Different story as an adult: I had to work for what I wanted. But oftentimes, I wanted, and worked for, things I didn't need.
Today, I think kids and young adults feel they're entitled to whatever they want—they are, by far, the largest consumer group.
I don't think people are less ambitious, but I think that the gap between the haves and have-nots is getting so wide that it makes it that much harder for some to achieve their dreams and thus easier to give up on them.
...the title was inspired by Journey now playing on Oprah.
WHAT? a beacon of coolness on OPRAH?! i'm concerned. also...isn't steve perry, like, dead?
Monkey: Nothing cheesy about Fame, please!
Pigeon: But you're a pigeon, travel is in your blood! ;-)
Meg: True, the effort kills many dreams.
lizgwiz: We seem to create needs & want everywhere.
Barb: Oh, mine too!
Charlie: I'm thinking many parents nowadays compensate that way as well.
flurrious: Maybe it is...
kara: You had me worried about Perry's death - he's not! He's been replaced by Arnel Pineda as lead singer (who sounds a lot like he did).
I still have faith, I think. I love stuff and I will buy stuff when I can afford it. But I do not think that I deserve it, I consider myself lucky to be able to afford it.
I still have non-money dreams, don't think that I'll never stop having them.
greenduckies: We should all have dreams, without them we die on the inside (I think)...
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