What did you dream of becoming as a kid?

My dreams as a prepubescent were to become an astronaut, be an NBA basketball player, and later on to create video games.  For whatever reason things did not work out that way.  After some thought, I realized why - somewhere along the way I was told by others to be “realistic” about my dreams.  I let myself believe that my dreams weren’t meant for people like me - I’m an 5’8 Indian and wasn’t even on my HS basketball team - what purpose was there in dreaming of being an NBA player?  

So, like many others, I slowly let go of my crazy, unrealistic dreams and prepared myself for a life of normalcy. 

The other day - while waiting for the ball to drop on New Year’s Eve, I was celebrating with my family and we were going around the room discussing our resolutions for the new year.  My brother-in-law mentioned the quote: 

“Be unrealistic”.

Be unrealistic. When he said that, I thought about all of my childhood dreams and the reason I didn’t pursue them - because they weren’t “realistic.”  What does “realistic” actually mean? It means don’t attempt the seemingly impossible.  Don’t take the risky route. Be safe, and normal like everyone else.  

Now, I look back and realize that being unrealistic is the point of dreams! All dreams worth dreaming about have a dash of impossible, and a pinch of WTF in them.  Whether they are realistic or not is purely up to you - the dreamer.  Now, I’m aware that not all dreams pursued will be requited, but the mere fact that one honors those dreams and pursues them is what counts in my book. 

So in 2011, maybe its time to dust off, and reexamine those old dreams you had. Or, maybe its now time to create new crazy,unrealistic dreams for your life.

Happy New Year!