Tuesday, October 23, 2012

All Men (and Woman) Dream

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.  T.E. Lawrence

Photo courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net
Children are amazing, because they dream with open eyes.  Anything is possible.  Super strength can be imbued with a breath mint, or their friends can be daylight vampires (my son's favorite).  If they want something (and they have been encouraged instead of demoralized) they will try to get it, to make their dream possible.  They don't think about the other kids who haven't had their dreams come true.  They don't worry if their abilities are sufficient.  They don't contemplate the wisdom of chasing a dream.  They just jump in with both feet and work to make their dreams possible.


When I was born, among other interesting issues, my left hip was not fully formed.  I had to wear a horseshoe shaped brace to keep my hips in alignment until I was a year old.  I couldn't crawl regularly because my legs were strapped out to the sides.  My mother said I'd army crawl around the house, dragging myself along with my arms. She credits this time in my early development for teaching me persistence and determination, all before I even could talk (I did that late, too.)

Maybe she's right.  I do know that if someone tells me "no," my first response is "Oh, yeah? Watch me."  I'm sure other factors in my life (high school) contribute to that defiant attitude, but I believe it's that kind of attitude we have to take if we want to break out of the box the rest of the world wants to keep us in.  We have to be willing to take the lead from children -- jump in with both feet, and make our dreams possible.

What has helped you to develop a "watch me" attitude.
How do you dream with open eyes, and make your dreams possible?

21 comments:

  1. My little 3 year-old sees dragons everywhere - the crocodile on his shirt, the statue in the town square, the frog on the porch. He creates stories that I desperately try to understand and follow - amazing! Thanks for sharing your story. I think my "watch me" attitude developed when I moved to Europe at the age of 21, seeing peoples' faces and hearing their concerns. It's been an incredible journey and I'm so thankful to those who supported me and helped me!

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    1. I love children. They are amazing in so many different ways. :) I'm glad you've had support. Life is so much nicer when we have people to share it with, for sure.

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  2. Ha! Yes, I'm very much the same way. Tell me "no" and I have to prove to you that "yes" should have been your first word choice. :P

    Perseverance is probably the one ingredient no writer can do without. Nice post. :)

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    1. Sometimes it seems like the refusal to give up is the only thing that keeps me going!

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  3. Ya got me thinking.

    Excellent post.

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  4. Love your "can do" spirit, Lara! It doesn't surprise me that it's always been a part of you. It shines through all you do. <3

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    1. Aw, thanks Denise! You're too kind. Now I feel all warm and fuzzy!

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  5. Funny how things will motivate you. I hate to have my failures pointed out, so I will try till I prove I can.

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    1. I so agree. It feels 100% better to be trying than to have failed.

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  6. I forgot breath mints being power pills! :-) I agree with the D, not at all surpised by your attitude. The one thing that every published author has is perseverance. I'm with you!

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    1. Thanks, Vaughn! You are a master at persistence, so I know I'm in good company!

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  7. When somebody tells me I can't do something I ask myself why not, then I try to achieve another goal. Great post!

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    1. Why not? is a great question to ask. Usually the response given it totally ridiculous. Thanks, Cindy!

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  8. Replies
    1. Are you being my cheerleader, or are you giving yourself a mantra? :)

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  9. The last time I jumped into a puddle with both feet, the grandsons thought it was awesome. They tried it too. We didn't worry about soggy socks or wet shoes. When somebody tells me it's impossible, I take that as a challenge. Perhaps some people think I'm slow to "grow up." And I don't care! We should all have the wonder and determination of children.

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    1. I so agree, Karen. Wonder is found anywhere, if we just look. However, I can't jump into puddles. It bugs me when my socks are wet!

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  10. I had a leg brace thingy too! It was because my legs were bowed, so it was a little different. Maybe that's where I got my "Oh yeah? Watch me." attitude from too! :)

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  11. I love this post. I love reading stories of determination that begun from a very early age. I have no idea where that "watch me" attitude comes from, but I almost look forward to people doubting me.

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