For as long as I can remember people have always told me to follow my dreams. It is a part of the American Dream to believe that anything we put our minds to is attainable. It starts at a young age when parents and teachers tell us that we can one day become President of the United States. Then in high school, when we realize that it might not be possible to become president, they tell us that we need to go to college and pick a career.
The popular advice given is usually something like “follow your dreams,” or “do what you’re passionate about.” I remember during my junior year of high school my idea of a career was have fun and make as much money as I can with the least amount of work. This is still my idea of the ideal career; I mean who wants slave away in a cubicle and never experience anything else?
I think about my future a lot. I dream about a future where an idealised version of myself exists. This future is where I would like to be; where all of my goals are achieved. There is also a future that scares me. I fear for a future where I become complacent and never push myself outside of my comfort zone.
Do I live life on the edge and face possible failure? Do I take the safe route to a white picket fence and a family? Do I live somewhere in the middle taking calculated risks but not venturing too far from home?
Halfway through my first year of college, I think I have figured it out. I am going to take the dangerous road on the side of the cliff. I am going to “follow my dreams” as they say. However, it is important to have perspective and know that failure is possible.
Chasing a dream can be dangerous. You have to know when to stop if things do not turn out the way you once wished. A favorite quote of mine is by author Phil Gaimon when he wrote about his journey of becoming a professional cyclist: “Keep in mind that a dream can string you along, and chasing it might mean a sacrifice in security and comfort, and understand that for everyone who made it as far as I did of further, there are probably a thousand who floundered and failed...Cycling isn’t something to pin all your hopes on. It’s too precarious.”
Gaimon’s sentiment resonates with me in the sense that sometimes dreams can take a butt load of work to attain. You can struggle and struggle, and sometimes not make it. However, I do believe that the struggle is worth it.
Here’s my advice to you, that teenager who binge watches Netflix while they should be doing homework, and found my article while scrolling through social media: Follow whatever kind of dream that you have. Find what you really love and live for that thing.
I know it may sound cliche, but I do think that this is one of the best ways to a truly happy life. Know that it is OK to slow down or stop if you have a change of heart. Understand the dangers and follow your dreams. Good luck, you’ll probably need it!
