Poet Langston Hughes once wrote, "Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." Where would we be without our dreams? They keep us buoyed with hope, consolidate our memories and help transform our emotional distress into resilience. Without them, what is there to look forward to? Dreams are a bit like that blue sky on the other side of clouds; always there but not always easy to reach.
As a little girl, I dreamed of becoming Miss America. In high school, I dreamed of being a cheerleader. In college, I dreamed I’d be the next, great investigative reporter. Not one of those dreams came true but it didn’t matter. By the time they fizzled out, I had a zillion more in their place. Having different-sized dreams helps. For example, my BIG dream is to live on the ocean. My medium dream is to be able to see the ocean and my little dream is to live in California!
Our dreams drive our passions and purpose. And it’s not just our day dreams that matter; the dreams we have when we sleep are equally important. In fact, if you are not dreaming at night, something is wrong. Most likely you are not getting the requisite 1½ hours of REM sleep that you need. Babies spend half their sleep in REM and by age 80, you only get 17%.
Lately, I’ve had a recurring dream that I must get to a particular building at a specific time but each time I’m thwarted. Either there’ a detour, a barricade, or I can see the building but there is no feasible entry into it. Several times, I’ve been IN the building but can’t reach the specific staircase which leads to the correct hallway which leads to the precise door. Once, I was in the building and entered the staircase but halfway up, I woke up! Perhaps, I am trying to resolve something but haven’t quite found the right solution yet.
Every year, I put some of my dreams away in a box. Surfing is in there, along with my Grammy. However, I never quite close the lid. I’m not alone. A 74-year-old woman was recently crowned, “Miss Senior America.” She did not give up on her dream. Martin Luther King did not give up on his and neither should you.
P. S. A dreamy welcome to my new readers from India & United Arab Emirates.
Indeed, we shall! Nice to meet you.
I hadn't heard the Langston Hughes quote before! Love it, thanks for sharing. Let us always keep aspiring to reach that blue sky behind the clouds :)