Dream Big

        I was inspired recently by a few things. The idea that sometimes we limit our dreams and our ambitons to what we THINK we can accomplish. This works with relationships as well. We get the love, appreciate the love we THINK we should. We fail to see the world as our Oyster, and the dreams we have we are timid to reach for because we THINK they are beyond us. We are intimidated because the world or the society we live in drives into us that we can't or we shouldn't reach for the stars. We are discouraged by precieved limitations, and therefor succumb to a reality that we create based on the impression that other people give us. FORGET THAT. No no, hold no limits on yourself that are not needed. Refuse to bow to "normal" and refuse to cut your dreams short or your ambitions. "I WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT, I WILL NOT VANISH WITHOUT A FIGHT !"... It's said over and over in movies, songs, plays, poetry. The same message over and over again. Those who bend, break, or flat out ignore rules and societal norms are propelled forward or land on their faces and never attempt such greatness again. The difference between the two is that those propelled forward have landed on their face, they just refused to give up. This message is read and heard again and again. Even so recently as the Bat Man movies with Christian Bale. "Why do we fall Bruce?"... You would think with so many people out there telling us from such an early age that we would get beyond what OTHER PEOPLE say we can accomplish. This makes sence to someone thinking as an adult, who was there, did that and grew up. Those of you reading this, going "yep, I knew it all along" take a seccond. Look at your life, as I look at mine, and realize how short you sold yourself. Realize how timid and afraid you were when you failed to look PAST the horizon. Though we hav all done such silly things, I think that everyone also has a quite different story as well. I think that everyone at one time or another says "Screw the rules, I want this, I'm going to do it my way". I think that everyone has some success story where, they ignored what others told them they could NOT do. Stories of patients told they would NEVER walk again... Stories of people who thought they would NEVER recover from an injury or illness who made the effort, took the time, refused to give up and eventually made it. WE CAN NOT GIVE IN. Though we do.
   
      To often we focus on the negative. I'm here to say, that's easy enough to do. Sitting on my couch or in my easy chair feeling sorry for myself crying my eyes out with a beer or a glass of Scotch in my hand. Fair enough, fine, that's all well and good. You can have those moments. Just dont forget to pick yourself back up when your done. Don't forget that there are people who care about you. Don't forget that there are places you can go and people you can call. Don't ignore the list of numbers in your phone when that happens. Don't think that they wouldn't want to help you or wouldn't have the time to help you. Don't think that you would be a burdon. Trust me you won't be.

     The burdon comes to those of us unfortunate enough to know someone who DIDN'T call. Someone who didn't ask, and didn't make that leap to the top. We have felt the pain of loss and remembered those moments with clarity. Often times we think "If I had known that this person was feeling THAT BAD, I would have given up ANYTHING to help them". You know my story is true here, and if you don't, ask around. I would rather get a call at 2 AM from someone I don't know than read about an accident in the paper the next day thinking that I could have helped.

       DREAM BIG, and refuse to bow down. If you slip and fall, pick yourself up, and if that's too difficult, ask for help. God, friends, family, or even a complete stranger will help if you just have the courage to ask for it. Best of luck to you all.

          The picture posted here is my pet Bearded Dragon, in his favorite place at the window. I'm not sure if he is dreaming of being out in the sun or just teasing the birds. All I know is that the picture inspired me. DREAM BIG.