How Was Work Today?
September 27, 2008 by Aspen Eggimann
I had to hold back a laugh a few days ago when I heard the above question. My cousin had just asked it to his brother in law.
The reason for my laughter? I was caught up in seeing the huge difference in the two people having this conversation about work. My cousin, David, had just gotten back leading a group, myself included, backpacking and exploring in Mexico. As part of his work he takes small groups down to Copper Canyon on cultural/humanitarian work. The trip goes thru the third world area of Copper Canyon to visit the Tamarah indians. Filled with helping people and moment by moment adventures. When he is not in Mexico he teaches wilderness survival. He doesn’t do it for money and he certainly doesn’t do it for prestige. He does it because its his passion, his dream.
As he asked his brother in law the “How was work today?” question I thought I saw a twinkle in his eye. “Oh you know, its work.” was the long faced reply. He brother in law is a banker.
Neither one leads a life the other should be leading. But one has a job, the other a dream come true.
After the humorousness of the moment was gone I was left deeply impressed by what I had seen. And it made me think a lot about my life and those around me.
I am sure most have heard the quote;
“Most people spend their lives working at a job they don’t like, to get money they don’t need, for things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.”
This may be an extreme statement on first hearing it, but for most it rings partially true.
Many people lead a life wishing they could do or be something they aren’t doing. They have a dream that they want to live, and yet when asked if they are living that dream they aren’t.
I believe everyone has a dream. Maybe from childhood, maybe not, but its real none the less. Dreams are important to an individual. When talking to people about their dream they come alive, their eyes sparkle and their voice gets excited. And then comes a statement I am sure we have all heard and said, “Oh well, maybe someday.” and the sparks are gone, the passion fizzles out and they go back to life just thinking about their dream.
Men and women all have a dream. Not just some or those who have thought about it or have been told they should have one. I mean ALL. Every single person if you search long enough has a dream inside them. And most of them aren’t living it.
The excuses for not living a dream are wide ranging. No money, no time, no resources, no skills, no support. In other words, no reason.
Why don’t we live our dreams?
Simple question, hard to answer. The answer is hard because it is so elusive. You really can’t tell why exactly. The excuses we use are just that… excuses. So what is the real reason? Fear? Laziness? Lack of faith?
If you are scared well… you should be. Living a life of dreams is scary. Not in the spooky sense. But in the difficulty and challenges. Its not easy and you will be tried, talked out of it, have road blocks put in your way and cross into unknowns. Yes it is scary. But worth it? Completely.
As for being lazy there really is no other reply then to get off your rump and start working. This life is short and there is no time to waste.
There is an old western quote that says;
“The cowards never started and the weak ones died on the way.”
At least start. Then you can figure out the rest as you go. But the truly strong start living their dreams now.
If we live a life without faith then it is no life. You were given your dreams for a reason and there is no power that would give you dreams and desires only to not give you a way of fulfilling them. Have a little faith.
“To dream anything you want to dream. That’s the beauty of the human mind. To do anything that you want to do. That is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits. That is the courage to succeed.” - Bernard Edmonds
We are limitless in our capabilities, endless in our resources and have and untold potential to build anything we can imagine. So why hold back?
What is the one thing that makes you come alive? The one thing you would die for, or more importantly, live for?
What is your dream? And what do you need to do to start living it?
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Copyright © 2008 by The Cause of Liberty. All rights reserved.
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5 Responses to “How Was Work Today?”
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Well said, Aspen. Without a dream, life is meaningless. I think it is important to find what makes us tick and then go out and do it. I have had several experiences where I have seeked after my dream. I wanted to run a clothing line. It was something I had been tinkering with for a while. I was living in Phoenix at the time, and I could barely keep a job. I told one of my friends about my dream and he told me I was crazy. I felt crazy for it. But the dream kept me going. I remember, spending many restless days and nights in the vacant Camp Navajo Army base in the desolate wilderness by Flagstaff AZ, all by myself, contemplating my dream. See, I was there because I got fired from my job and evicted from my apartment. It was a place where I could live for free as I got back on my feet. Those were some of the darkest days of my life. I felt like an absolue failure. Everything around me confirmed me of that fact.
Well, I worked a few jobs and got a cash reserve again. I got back down to Phoenix and moved in with my negative friend. I told him about my plans and he laughed at me. He saw me as a bum, a guy who could barely live the game of life, and here I was talking about starting a business? I remember how hurt I was when he said those things.
Anyways, I can also remember how elated I was when I sold my first shirt. I will never forget the phone call I got from Daily Bread magazine when they wanted to display my shirts in their magazine. I nearly fainted from the exhilaration.
Living my dream has changed my life. It has given me a glimpse into what I am capable of. It has built my confidence in ways that I can not explain.
I encourage all to go and live thier dream. The rewards are definitely worth it.
Thanks for you comments Aharon.
You have an amazing story. I loved reading it and seeing how far you have come and what a dream has done for you.
To have the courage to dream even when others laugh at you takes faith and commitment. Its so simple, the idea of dreams, and yet so difficult. But when you reach your goal, when you sell your first shirt, that feeling cannot be replaced. To feel that high is worth all the years of dreaming and working.
This is a wonderful article…but I am going to put a fly in the ointment if I might. No, no dreams. But to do meaningful work. Today I am retired but I still want meaningful volunteer work. I do a good bit that is not particularly rewarding … as in Boards. So, I told God, OK i am ready to change again and i want to do something with passion again. So, I guess that passion is my dream……………… Anyway I am finishing up my final project of my Masters at 62 and I am creating creative writing programs for combat veterans and let me tell you I am in 7th heaven.
Liz,
Its no fly in the ointment! You have just added so many principles that are so important to dreams.
First: You have added a very good point onto the idea of dreams. And that is work. That at some point you set out and do the work that you are suppose to do. Meaningful work that helps others. Just dreaming about it won’t do. But let those dreams guide your work so you are not just digging holes in the back yard for no purpose.
Second: Your trust in God to give you your passion and dream led you to the work that you do now. I believe that God gave us our passions for a reason. That our loves and desires are a deep part of who we are.
Third: You have also taught a great lesson. That dreams, meaningful work and passion never stop. At 62 you are still making a difference. I would put forth the idea that you haven’t retired, you have just begun a new phase!
Keep up the meaningful work! And keep dreaming!
Just the other day while taking an evening drive with a friend our conversation crossed the realms of childhood dreams and all those things you’ve always wanted to do. As it went, my friend could not believe all the adventures and skills I had aquired in my short twenty-one years of living and so i proceeded to point out that I had dreams, a list ya know, and I live to make them reality. I asked him if he had such a list and he said, “Well yeah, everybody does but your the first person I’ve ever met who is actually living them. I gave up on mine a long time ago!” Sadly enough he’s right. Kids our age seem to have the abilities and most certainly the dream, but our social ideaologies of consistancy, conformity and climbing the economic latter with security under your belt have crippled what once made an American a statement of pride. The few that are searching, get smoldered by generations of the complacent who want you to walk the beaten path, the one beaten near to death (I say let it die). Yes, I’m implying that to live your dreams often places you at odds with social norms, thats exactly why so few venture to take the leap. But so many deep down long for it; regretfully they are the only ones who can let go and set themselves free. That freedom is hard, scary, and more often than not, unknown, but then, I always did like a good adventure!