Dear Idealists,
The world can be a very cruel and unforgiving place. Things will get you down and make life seem like it has something against you. We oftentimes find ourselves never truly wanting to believe that life isn't fair, or that dreams don't come true. The world is full of possibilities. We can go off on tangents and make life seem very much fantasy-like. With that being said, there are some things we should constantly work on to make sure we don't become our own worst enemy and go too far into fantasy land.
I've realized over time that big dreams can cause big letdowns. Every now and then, things just don't work out and it can feel as if it's all my fault for even getting my hopes up. I'd like to encourage you not to get yourself into a rut though. Instead, find some practical steps to take in order to achieve your really big goals. For the more "realistic" people out there, doing this may seem to be pretty obvious. As idealists, the small steps are often overlooked. We can get so focused on the end goal, that we ignore the immediate actions we need to take.
Whenever I find myself getting way out there in my head, the last thing I want to hear is a million faults or problems with my plan. That's the worst feeling ever. However, sometimes that's necessary. If we truly want to accomplish our goals and dreams, we need people in our life to be honest and real. When a friend seems to be attacking your idea or trying to knock it down, what they're actually doing is forcing you to reconsider things and patch up any loose ends. I know it's hard to understand at times, but in the end, you'll be better for it.
Another problem I often face is trying to get people to see things the way I see them. When I have friends that are having bad days or they can't quite see the light at the end of the tunnel, I try my hardest to cheer them up and help them to adopt some of my idealistic tendencies. This doesn't always work. And when it doesn't, I blame myself and begin to lose my optimistic charm. Please don't do this. Don't give up on your spark. Sometimes people need to feel those negative emotions and there's nothing you can do to help. It isn't because you didn't do a good enough job trying to cheer them up or offer a helping hand. Ultimately, there's only so much you can do.
The people around us may occasionally clash with the way we view things, but being an idealist is truly a gift. There's no one more positive and fun to be around than you. Whenever you begin to dream up something big, there's no other force in the universe that can move you. Just make sure to consider every angle and strengthen your plans. It'll not only help you to feel less bummed out, but it'll also hush up all of the doubters out there.
