Meghan Miller H1 Final Blog Post #3

For my final ‘This I Believe’ blog post, I will continue my theme on dreams. My first post covered the importance of believing in your dreams, my second post focused on the power you have to make your dreams come true, and my third will cover a few things I believe are necessary to make your dreams reality.
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What is it that keeps people from following their dreams? In my first post, I discussed that society has something to do with it. Society changes people’s dreams overtime, making them less and less unique. But even the dreams that stick with people into adulthood often do not come true. Why? Because of fear. Fear is the destroyer of dreams. Fear of sacrifice, of failure, of disappointment, of the unknown. Fear in general is crippling; it keeps people from realizing their potential. Some people are more naturally risk-takers, and fear is not a huge concern for these people. In the words of J.K. Rowling, “Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” But for those who are naturally risk-averse, I believe the thing that can help people overcome their fears is… another fear. The fear of regret. For those who are naturally risk-averse, fearing regret can be a good substitute for natural pluck.

Another thing which comes between people and their dreams is simply how daunting and overwhelming a dream can appear.  Sometimes the chasm between where people are and where they want to be is so wide and gaping that they simply give up. But truly, all people need to do is start… somewhere, anywhere.  “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.  Tiptoe if you must, but take the step (anonymous).”  If you are unsure how, try this: lay out three sheets of paper in a row. On the first, write down all the experiences and assets you have which you feel prepare you for whatever your dream is.  Then, on the third sheet, write down what your dream is; what you want to be or to have done once your dream is realized.  Finally, use the second sheet to bridge the gap between present you and future you.  Write on this sheet everything you need to transition from who you are today to who you want to be.  This can help you see where to start out if you are unsure. 

            The next aspect I believe is imperative to making your dreams reality is being an active agent, rather than a passive one. Great people are not those who simply had things happen to them, rather, they are people who went out and happened to things! “If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise,” said Anais Nin. Passive people accept what society tells them, what fear tells them.  Active people seek exceptions to societal norms, they find ways to build courage, they are opportunity seekers and dream creators.  A dream doesn't just come true because you wish upon a star; a dream comes true because you work your butt off day in and day out, because you sweat and toil and cry and scream and push through the struggles until you see your dream come true.

            The final thing I believe is vital to making your dreams come true is surrounding yourself with people who believe in you.  Encouragement is absolutely necessary for humans, especially for those who are working constantly in the pursuit of their dreams.  Sometimes, an encouraging word spoken at just the right time can give someone just the push they need to believe in themselves.  In the movie Good Will Hunting, this is said of Will, “Some people can’t believe in themselves until someone else believes in them first.”  This is absolutely true.  Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, sometimes even more than you believe in yourself, can ensure you do not give up!  This is not to say, though, that sometimes you won’t be the only one who believes in yourself.  Sometimes no one will understand or agree with your dream… all the more reason to treasure the voices of encouragement when they do come along!

            So, as I conclude my series of three This I Believe blog posts, I will just say this: don’t be afraid of your dreams, because you truly do have the power to make them come true.  Work hard and dream big.  Don’t forget to treasure the journey, because it’s the journey that makes the dream worthwhile.