So I had the distinct honor today of meeting with a friend to talk about writing, and while we were talking it hit me that, darn do I sound dour about writing. And I don’t MEAN to, I mean, if I didn’t love writing then I wouldn’t do it, but I think it’s more that I have been doing this long enough to have a realistic view on things. But while it’s all well and good to be a realist, you have to temper that with the dream, or the reason you got into whatever it is you do. I hate to think that I’d ever talk anyone out of following their dream. To the contrary I want to always be supportive and as helpful as I can be because I can’t imagine how damaging it would have been when I was just getting serious about writing and someone told me all their horrible stories of their set backs and failures. So, with that in mind, I wanted to say something.
Whatever you love, whatever you do – do it. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do or be whatever you want. There will always be limitations on our dreams, and we will have to temper our dreams with reality, but that doesn’t mean we cannot find a path to the dream in the end. It’s a longer life than we think sometimes and we have a lot of time to explore and discover, and the best thing you can discover and explore is yourself and your own passions. If you are passionate, you will find a way to do what you love. You may not get rich, you not get famous, but you will be doing what you love. There is one thing that you have to remember and that is that you have to honor the core of your dream, and not the window dressing. Say, you wanna work with people or serve the public. Now you’d LIKE to be president, but if that doesn’t work it doesn’t mean that you cannot still serve the public in another capacity. We get caught up on the window dressing – the fame and fortune many times – and forget the dream itself , the core of it. But as long as we keep that passion kindled, and so long as we don’t give up on our dream, nothing can ever stop us. It’s not a straight path to the things we want in life, but if you manage to stay on your path, it’s a wonder the places you see, people you meet, and things you do.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and create something!
c
The Spooky World of Chris Ringler 