We tend to dream about an “ideal” life, nevertheless, this idyllic state is different for each of us. While some have already reached their dream, or are perhaps very close, others are just starting their journey. Whatever the case may be, we should be firm with our dreams and flexible in our plans to get them.
Our dreams begin from an early age, when we love to dream about being policemen, firemen, dancers, doctors, astronauts and a plethora of other professions. As we grow, we form a vision of the world, and our dreams frequently change. Along the way, we find “good people” with “wise words” and “good intentions,” who take it upon themselves to tell us why we will never reach our dreams. Because of this, we often decide to change the direction of our desires to something more “reasonable, sure, and less risky.” 
In turn, we become slaves to the fear of failure.
Nevertheless, while excuses abound and we love to blame someone else for our failures, ultimately we are the only ones who can determine our future.
Have you ever wanted to do something different from what you are doing now?
If you are like the majority of us, you have had various changes in your plans along the way. 
If you have been able to maintain firm with your dreams and your direction, congratulations! Few are able to follow the beat of their own drum, despite what others say.
Is there anything wrong with being an astronaut, or any other profession we dreamed about when we were younger?
If we look around us, many people are doing what we once dreamed about. Following the example of the astronaut, surely the path to become one is not easy, but it is possible. In fact, there are many people who have been launched into outer space and most have lived to talk about it. As such, if they have done it, we can too. Though perhaps no one in our city, state, or country may have been an astronaut, we can be the first to do so.
Whatever our dream might be, there is at least one way to achieve it. As Walt Disney said:
“If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”
As an analogy, imagine our goal is to “summit” the peak of a huge mountain. There may be one road which is easier than the rest and used by most, but this does mean it has to be our path. Think about the top of any mountain you are familiar with. How many ways are there to get there? From a mathematical point of view, the possibilities are infinite.
There may be storms blocking our way, routes requiring specialized equipment, options demanding additional effort, and paths interminably long. Nevertheless, if our dream firmly in mind and our objective to get to the top is strong, there will always be a way to achieve our objective. Important is to not “lose ourselves” along the way and to be congruent in our thoughts, actions and principles as we go.
Many times we become flexible, changing our dreams according to the weather, the environment, and the general opinion of others. Though flexible with our dreams, many times we are rigid in our way of doing things, while maintaining the same routines. As a result, we become tired and frustrated.
It is better to be firm with our objectives and dreams, while being flexible with the plans we implement to reach them. Being at peace with ourselves, tenacious in our actions, congruent with our principles, and firm in our dreams; there is no doubt we can reach the summit of anything we desire.
∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL IV 3