We all dream, yet at the same time we wish it could be easy. Every one of us wishes that our dreams would come about as easily as breathing. We watch the Olympians compete for their medals and a small part of us all think that we could do that. Sometimes it’s the opposite reaction, we see the finished masterpiece and think that we could never do something like that. We wish our dreams could be completed as easily as those we look up to or idolize. What if I told you a secret? It wasn’t easy for them either.
Hard work. Dedication. Resilience. We’ve spoken about these time and time again here on the Dream Anvil precisely because we want things to be easy. Rarely are our dreams easy. If they were they would not be things we strive to accomplish, no our dreams would just become another everyday occurrence if it were simple or easy.
The two examples I mentioned before are very good examples of this. Both the Olympian and the artist have a similar trajectory for their dreams. Both toil for years in darkness, in obscurity. Each one refining and honing their craft. A second quicker. A thicker line. A faster start. A new brush technique. Each one strives to get better than the day before. Sometimes there is a breakthrough, a stroke of luck or genius, and they move the needle forward. Most of the time though each step forward, each accomplishment towards their dream, is accomplished by hours and hours of hard work and practice. We the audience never get to witness that work and toil. We only get to experience the end result a brilliant masterpiece full of color and life.
Many times our reaction to seeing greatness is to marvel at the sheer amazingness of it all. We measure that feat against ourselves. That world record was shattered; I can’t even run a mile. Doubt creeps in. You could never do that. You are not an athlete. You are not an artist. It’s just easier to watch TV tonight. The path to your dreams starts with a single step. It starts with not seeing yourself as you are now but as you will be further down the road towards your dreams. It starts with shaking off those doubts that tell us no, and believing that we really can.
What is lovely though is that our reaction doesn’t always have to be negative. We can stand in awe of the accomplishments of others and a small part of us longs to do the same thing. Watching another dream become reality inspires us to look at our own goals. It’s never to later to chase after your dreams. It’s never too late to revive your passions. There is no age limit to being awesome. You can accomplish your dreams. It won’t be easy. It won’t be simple. You will have to fight off the doubts in your own head every day. With patience and perseverance, you can do so much more than you think you are capable of.