Here’s to the Dreamers
By Caralyn Collar
It occurred to me yesterday, as I was walking along our city’s beautiful High Line Park, that there is a huge discrepancy at work in our world as we know it. A gap, a certain unspoken code of eradication for something that lurks deep within our spirits and souls.
Why is it, that when we are young, we can dare to dream of what we will become when we grow old. When asked, we were quick to spout off, “The President, Astronaut, Firefighter, Pilot, Princess, Movie Star, Detective.” Though we were little in a big big world, there were no limitations to what we could and most certainly would become. We were driven by an unquenchable curiosity, expanding our horizons, enthusiastic about life. It was only after growing up, that qualifications came into the picture, and things that we once thought were attainable, were now chalked up to as “out of your league” due to pretentious restrictions. With a limitless worldview, we held the utmost faith in our dreams, completely confident that they will one day be realized. Society as we know it, squelched the dreams in our hearts by replacing “what if” with “realistic.”
What child answered the afore question with, “stock broker, insurance representative, or number pusher.” Not that these jobs are not worthy, valuable, or notable, but I’d be willing to bet that somewhere along the line, these people had to set aside their dream and “settle” for “reality.” Maybe I’m naïve and this is better for social evolution or some other highbrow nonsense, but I’d like to keep my childlike wonder on the world and believe that anything truly is possible.
It doesn’t take any courage to play it safe. Society’s thumb presses us to keep the status quo and not ruffle any feathers with lofty aspirations. I’d like to throw out there that in today’s world, there’s some shaking up that needs to be done. Looking around New York, I began to think. This town was built by shakers, er, feather rufflers if you will. This global epicenter of art, culture, finance, business, fashion, education, and entertainment was built by immigrants in the 19th century. All of those founders from all over the world had had the courage to cross the mighty Atlantic, not knowing where they would live, how they would make money, what they would eat. Their childlike faith propelled them to the other side of the world in search of a better life. Fast forward two centuries, and this booming metropolis is filled with skyscrapers, and the latest technology, elite institutes of learning, and cutting edge innovations, yet roots can still be seen in Little Czechoslovakia, Little Italy, Chinatown, etc. We do not come from a heritage of fainthearted people, why should we waver from the grandeur of our hearts’ desires?
People who dream can change the world. People who go after their dreams actually do. What’s the rush in “growing up” when it would do a whole lot of good to rewind our brains to think like a child and let our imaginations dictate what we can and want to do? Yes, hard work and perseverance play a role in the outcome of the pursuit; however, I’m willing to bet that a well-nurtured dream yields unparalleled effort and diligence. So here’s to the dreamers. May your dream stay captivating, your ambition resilient, and your passion ablaze.
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