About that Dream...

I heard Barbara Sher talk once, about people who want to "give up their life" for their "dream." It was a great great talk -- if you can ever see Barbara Sher (she's on Public TV a lot), don't miss her.

To paraphrase what she said, people often will say "I'm going to give up my life as a business executive, because I have always wanted to..." (big dramatic pause) "...be an ARTIST."

I actually had a friend who did this. He was supposed to be in the World Trade Center on September 11th -- his law firm was in there. His boyfriend -- who never saw him (my friend was a big hot-shot lawyer) -- MADE him stay at home for breakfast that day.

The night before, they had taken a photo (no joke, it has a digital stamp of "September 10th" on the corner) of the World Trade Center -- because they could see it on their roof. A gorgeous photo, on a clear crystal night.

The next day, over breakfast, they watched the planes come in.

My friend gave up his job, and did what he had always "wanted to do" -- become a photographer. "Life was too short," you know how it goes. He actually even started a company, to try to get more money to photographers and digital artists for their works, stuff like that. Very awesome and noble.

So what's he doing now?

He went through all his savings...and he's back being a lawyer. I have lost contact with him -- but my guess is he's not a little bitter....

This isn't a Cinderella story -- and that was Barbara Sher's moral. If you are going to make a "big life change" -- it's MUCH BETTER to make it in little changes. In her story -- the executive becoming the artist -- she said that if this is what you want to do, then rent the "garret studio" -- and spend a portion of your day there, and paint. Do it. Take a sabbatical. Whatever. But if you make a big "break" -- you're often jumping out of that plane without a parachute.

If the painting thing "works" -- if people buy your stuff, and you ultimately wind up being able to potentially support yourself -- HEY! Quit the other job! But don't do the "Cold Turkey" thing -- not good.

You need to try your Dreams on -- because you need to really see what is a Passion -- and what in fact is just a "daydream."

You might Dream about a family and 2.5 kids -- maybe it's time to go work at the daycare in your gym for a little while, to be sure that you're REEEEALLY ready. Or you dream about having an awesome garden (this was my dream....oy) and don't really REALIZE what the water systems/weeds/pruning/etc. is all about (WHAT A MISTAKE!)

SO try on your Dream -- and when you realize YES YES YES that's for me! -- go a little further...and a little further. That's your Path To Passion!

Solitaire