Have You Given Up On Your Dreams

| August 24, 2011

This is a Guest-Post by Jonathan Figaro of JonathanFigaro.com.

image: (Master isolated images)

Living your life on purpose is what it means to live your dream life. What is your dream in life.

We all have dreams. Some dream of being able to get across to the border to get to the land of opportunity.

Others dream of owning town houses across the globe. Some dream of just making it out of their harsh environment.

We all have dreams. What’s yours? But before you answer this read my story. And Four Gut-Piercing ways to hold onto your dream

Street Dreams

“I just want to make it to the NBA,” he screams this to his mother at the top of his lungs.

“I’m good enough! I can make it! Coach said I can get a full ride scholarship to Duke University.”

“But what happened to your future?” she says.

“Basketball is my future!” he yelled.

“Listen boy,” she says, showing him no sympathy.

“I’ve sacrificed way too much for you to throw it all on a dream. I held two jobs after your coward father left you. Now you’re telling me you want to chase a dream. Negro, you better pick up a book and get hooked on phonics, because you’re going to graduate. And that’s that!!”

He brushes over her comment with his own ideologies.

“Don’t you understand I want to do more than he ever did!? I want to do more for you and this family! I want to give and then I’d never have to see you struggle any more! I want to be the man he never was.

And besides that…mom,” he paused to show sincerity in the next few words, “I’m really good. I’m the best on my team.

I have scouts coming to look at me every game!” He accentuates the words“every game”for his dream was coming into light. Senior year at Grady High School never felt so good.

“But what happens when you get injured?” she asked softly.

“I can’t live my life thinking about the worst. You always taught me to set my goal high and reach for the stars. So why are you stopping me from hugging the Moon?”

Four Gut-Piercing ways to hold onto your dream

  1. Fight for it

I remember when I told my mother I wanted to leave college to be a multi-millionaire. The conversation didn’t go so smooth. Her negative reaction over my decision only caused my want to increase tremendously.

The more she tried to take my goal away from me is the more I wanted it. Don’t let anyone take your dreams away from you. If you want something, go get it! Don’t let anyone stop you from getting what you want.

Live for yourself. Make your own mistake and grow along the way.

  1. Vocalize your opinion

If someone tries to prove their reason why you can’t do something, DEFEND it. Hey, you don’t have to get into a  three hour conversation on defending your dream.

But don’t allow anyone to tell you what you can and cannot do. Don’t let anyone keep you from your dreams. Never allow an individual destroy what took you years to create and cultivate.

Dare to be different and dare to defend what you believe in. Martin Luther King did and so did Muhammad Ali. Do the same.

  1. Show em more than you can tell em

People always have doubt on what can be done. Show them. Don’t talk about it. Be about it.

  1. Winston Church hill said it the best. Never Ever Give Up!

 

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What are some of your dreams? Have you given up?

Jonathan Figaro is the author behind #1 Best Selling Masterpiece Six Stupid Things People Do To Mess Up Their Lives. Get a Free Chapter HERE!

 

 

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Category: Personal/ Spiritual Growth

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I've experienced all ups and downs in any aspect of my life until now. But I'm proud to say that one thing stayed firm. It's my determination to achieve all my dreams in life. Sometimes, it's really disappointing to see myself experiencing troubles at times but now, I totally get used to it. Like what I've read in one blog post before, what is important is your goal and not the process of achieving it. So focus must always be on your goal.

Insightful post Jonathan,
I feel, everyone has some passion or dream right from his childhood. Now what's important here is how much action he takes towards living his dream, how much support he gets from his family.
The more action you take towards realizing your dreams, the more trust is generated in others and the support grows. It's that simple.

Great post Jonathan. I once watched a video about what lead to success on YouTube. I loved it. It was just a 3 minute presentation, but really valuable. The guy said that in order to be successful, you have to deal with CRAP.
C riticism
R rejection
A ssholes
P ressure

Defend your dreams and work towards achieving them. I like that. It is not always easy, but it is the bet way to go. But we mustn't forget that others opinions are valuable as well. Don't just defend your dreams and ignore what other people say.

Thanks for sharing this valuable info. And Justin, thanks for featuring Jonathan's guest post. :)

Mouh
:)

Hi Jonathan

The title of your article struck a cord.I had a dream, then, a serious complication from illness hit me recently.Now, I think I'll have to reassess my priorities because the dream I had doesn't seem to be that important anymore.

Great article, Jonathan, thanks.

This is a very inspiring article. I believe too many people give up on their dreams because those dreams seem out of reach and someone close to them talks them into playing it safe. Dream big and live life on your terms.

Hi Jonathan,
I haven't given up on my dreams & I'm sure you haven't either.....keep on dreaming, then action.
be good to yourself
David

Hi, Jonathan,
glad to read your post. I like when you say "dare to be different and dare to defend what you believe in". That is really the whole point of not giving up from our dreams.
Of course, parents always are the ones that get worried most, thinking we are spending too much time on dreaming. But, in truth, they want the best for us.

This post about dream is very interesting topic because all of us have a different dream to... no matter what it is, my dream is very simple at it is and that is to become useful in this world.

Excellent article.

We just have to accept that most people aren't the kind of folks that will break down barriers and achieve all that they can achieve. They are more the type to play things safe and focus on the negative rather than the positive.

I think age has a lot to do with it. Number people tend to be more optimistic and enthusiastic whereas older people have "been there" and "done that" - or at least that's what it seems like.

My parents sound very much like your mom, and while I love them a lot, caution is as much a part of my nature and I'm going to do all I can to achieve what I want in this life.

Great message here. :-)

Walt Disney said, " If you can dream it, you can do it." He did what he dreamt of - Creating the happiest place on earth. Not only must we fight for our dreams, vocalize our dreams, show our capabilities for our dreams, and never give up on them, we must also face all obstacles as challenges. In the end successful people are not people with no problems, but they are simply people who had overcome them.

I'd say you should dream, but remember to consult reality from time to time. You may dream of being an opera singer, but if you suck, well, you suck. You might ought to consider a new dream.

Great post, Jonathan! I loved your story about the kid who wanted to be a basketball star. I have a dear friend whose son is in the NFL. The dad is awesome and he really believed in his kid. I'm certain that sort of encouragement helped his son get to where he is today.

I believe people can succeed without that kind of encouragement, but it's much tougher. I hope someday you get the support you deserve.

Jonathan you are very right. Don't let anyone take your dreams away from you. Everyone has the right to there dreams. I have to admit that when I was younger I did let my parents take away a dream I had. But I learned from that and know that it is never to late.
Thank you for sharing and blessing to you,
Debbie

I agree, good post Jonathan!

I know from my own personal experience that our parents have dreams for their children and they are just parenting us the way they were parented themselves. They simply didn't know any difference. They thought what they were doing was the best they could do at the time so I can't fault them for that.

But I also agree to just listen to your dreams and go for it. After all, this is your life!

Glad everything worked out for you young man. I love seeing people at such a young age know what they want and go after it. I'm glad I can't turn back time, I'd be confused at which direction I'd take.

"Don’t talk about it. Be about it."
Heck yea! Stop living in a world of 'what ifs' and 'maybes'. Get out there and start living your dream!

The only person that can stop you is yourself! Nobody else can stop you. Nobody.

Hi Jonathan,
I love the quote by Churchill. That being said I do think that one of the keys to success is to be able to listen to what others have to say and if it makes sense heed their advice. Great post Jonathan and I wish you continued success.
Riley

Hey Jonathan, so what happened? Is your dream still moving forward.

I love the story telling you did, you should just write more instead of dunking baskets ;)

Good to see you here. I need to get back to you about your ebook.

Bryce

Man, Jonathan!

This was a powerful post! It spoke volumes to me personally. I can really relate to #3. I have a sticky note that I've plastered against the wall in front of my laptop where I wrote the words, "Don't talk about it, be about it!" In order for anyone to reach their dream, they first must believe that it can be reached. Thanks for sharing this with us, my friend...I'll definitely be paying this one forward! :)

Hi Jonathan and Justin,

We all have dreams. To make our dreams come true, we have to believe and have faith. We have got to persist, persist, and persist. Unill When? Until we achieve what we want. Visualize and focus on what you want and you will achieve your goals and dreams. Thanks for sharing

Jonathan, you are a message bringer. Every time I read your insights it sticks with me....see it through, believe in yourself, follow your absolute and ultimate dream, be tenacious, hang tough, activate your best, awaken your highest ability. It's one major message - there's nothing impossible to those who say and act so. You're firing up the Internet my friend but, better still, igniting lives all over the planet. You're smoking! Bless you from all of us.

Hi Jonathan,

Good post! Sometimes, one of the problems is that parents have dreams for their kids too, and they are not always the same dream. We should all go after what we want for ourselves. We all need to be responsible for our own lives and not try to control someone else and their dreams, even if they are our children. Just so you know though, some moms can have a hard time with that one, but we're learning! Thanks for sharing.