Dreams...

I wrote this during my "sick time" b/c I just wanted to get some thoughts down on paper. I was a little reluctant to post it but figured I would share my thoughts. So, here you go...

The last couple of days I have felt a bit under the weather so I have had some time to think and to really examine where I am in my life and what surrounds me. I have started the last couple mornings on the beach throwing the ball for my dog…I love this time because the world seems so peaceful and I am left to stare at the beauty of the ocean. Really, it is a happy place for me where I can get back to basics and just think about life, my dreams, my past and my future.
I have big dreams, dreams that I often think very few people will ever understand. Dreams are interesting in that you don’t need other people to accept them, they are your own and no matter how outlandish they seem they mean something to you. However, as humans, I think we often times seek the support of others as we chase our dreams and when people throw criticism our way we question ourselves and we can start to doubt that our dreams are even worth keeping.
Triathlon is a sport that is tiny by comparison and, in most circles, triathletes are looked at as crazy endurance people that don’t do anything but exercise, they are one-dimensional in a sense (despite doing three sports). To a point, this is certainly true, but I think within every triathlete there burns a fire and a dream. It may be the dream of finishing a single sprint triathlon or it could be a dream of being an Olympian. Whatever the dream may be it is a dream, something that each person embraces whole-heartedly and chases with a passion that some can only image.
As I chase my dreams I find myself on a lonely road. Training hard everyday as a neo pro is tough and very few people can understand why I do it. Most people find out I am a triathlete and we chat superficially for a while about training and racing but I never go into what I have accomplished or what my dreams are. In fact, only a select number of people know my dreams and I think there are two people in my life that truly believe I can achieve my dreams, I am one of those two. Sure, many people support me but I think the number is small that actually journey down the lonely road with me.
It always drives me crazy when people criticize others for dreaming big. Why put down other people in their pursuit of happiness? Maybe it doesn’t resonate with your goals or your way of doing things but why should it? Dreaming big has led to so many amazing accomplishments, things we never even though possible. For those amazing things to happen someone had to walk the lonely road of dreams, ignore the criticism, fight everyday, and live their passion. Big dreams make this world a magical place and they inspire people…why stifle this? Dreams make people better, stronger, and happier.
I write about this because I see people throwing negativity around everyday and I hear people talking about how much they hate their jobs, daily routine, etc. It really bums me out to see all this happening because I think we all have dreams but often times they get pushed aside because we, and those around us, don’t believe. So, I am just saying that you don’t need the world to support your dreams. You just need to think BIG, be passionate, optimistic and, most importantly, you have to BELIEVE!
Living your dreams isn’t easy but the reward of happiness and accomplishment when you make those dreams a reality is something that you will have with you forever. I have learned too, that there really isn’t an end to your dreams, you just keep dreaming. Sure, you accomplish some big goals in your lifetime but the journey you take in chasing your dreams is what will change you and leave you feeling inspired and alive.
Honestly, I am not sure I will ever achieve my dreams but I can assure you that my dreams will not die and I will chase them with every ounce of my heart and soul. In my opinion, if you stop dreaming BIG dreams you will never really live to your full potential and, when it is all said and done, you will leave this life with your best hands still on the table. You see, dreams don’t require money, they aren’t tied to race or gender, and they all originate from your mind, your heart and your soul. No one can take your dreams away from you (as long as you believe) and when we all die we die still embracing our dreams. So, don’t stop dreaming BIG dreams and don’t stifle the dreams of others because they are the heart and soul of this world and they bring out the best in humanity.