10/18/2016 0 Comments Why I Don't 'Plan' My LifeFrom the earliest ages we are told we can be anything , we can do anything and we can achieve anything . My mom has been THE rock to our entire family and it's because of her that my brothers and I have had a solid foundation to build our respective lives . She fostered our abilities and talents . She encouraged the arts and sports . She reinforced the importance of education and something even more essential in my opinion - the importance of common sense . What sets how we were raised apart from how many were/are raised is - we learned the difference between a plan and a dream . Spending some time in New York and now 6 years in Los Angeles I've come across so many that missed the understanding and distinction of the two . In their most simple forms : a dream is that ultimate personal point of happiness . A plan is everything it takes to get there . Most of the hopefuls , now in less than ideal situations , chased their dreams as they'd been encouraged to do their entire lives . They packed up and relocated with their eyes fixated on red carpets and flashing lights . As proud as those that urged them to take the ill advised leap may feel , the borderline transient - couch surfing - table bussing - ramen eating - unhappy reality of said hopefuls' current lives takes away from that which we'd applaud . Important life revelations were bypassed because they weren't facilitating 'the dream' . Generally accepted by society , little girls dream of their weddings . Everything mapped out down to the lace detailing on their veil and the number of white roses in each flower arrangement but girls today completely skip the process of growing into strong , self sufficient , intelligent and self aware women and wonder why that magical day never comes . Little boys dream of being police officers or firefighters but skip the process of growing into honest , dependable and trustworthy men . As far as the arts go - specifically music - people want to sell out stadiums but don't put in the work of learning music theory , training their voices , and grinding day in and day out to ensure their voices are heard . They all miss developmental milestones and potentially life changing opportunities that could have taken them down paths to exponential happiness because they'd became fixated on a dream . The main photo for this write up is one of my absolute favorites . Taken last week , the more I look at it the bigger I smile because it re-enforces that I'm not crazy . Lol . My mind is an optimistic/realist hybrid and I feel as if the same can be said for Madi , Zack & Helen . (Raul , far left , is the new kid on the block . More on him later . Lol) .
(Pre 14yo) Lil Madi's dream more than anything was to be a Victoria's Secret model . Industry height regulations have proved a worthy foe BUT you know what they say 'when a door closes , a window opens' . She's become a brand in and of herself . a model and even more impressive - an International DJ who's toured with likes of Steve Aoki , David Guetta and Martin Garrix . She's happy .
Lil Zack's dream and what he worked towards most of his life was to be a Major League Baseball player . His life has gone every which way but looky there - he has multiple businesses , he's become a personality , an amazing content creator on numerous social media platforms AND he's found love . He's happy .
One of Lil Helen's many dreams was (is) to be a designer . Although she's not yet at that crowning moment - she's collaborated in design with California based Swimwear company Vitamin A & innovative solar powered backpack company Birksun , she's amassed well over a million in audience , has legit traveled the WORLD (London , Santorini , Mykonos , St Tropez , French Riviera , Bali and Thailand this year alone) , AND she's found love . She's happy .
I suppose my question is how different would their lives be had they obsessed about their dream ? We'll never know but the point is despite the fact their dreams have not YET been achieved - they've never became consumed by the dream . They have learned so much about themselves , they've developed in ways they never thought they would , they've become amazing people and they are happy . I've strayed away from dreaming . We will never know what the future holds and more often than not life happens in the most unpredictable of ways . I've also strayed away from excessive planning because I've seen time and time again that it's a swift way to disappointment and upset . I relax because having strict expectations will guide you ever so gently into depression and that's nowhere anybody wants to be . I take the days as they come , from one sunrise to the next . I have an idea of where I want to be but I don't stress it because I know I'm here on this earth to do great things and I know it'll all work out . I take opportunities as they come because who's to say it won't take me somewhere I never thought I'd go and increase my quality of life in unimaginable ways . I grow one day at a time and I know the importance of being honest and being trustworthy and being dependable . I know that to better the world and make an impact I have to first better myself . That's common sense , thanks mom . :) To the little girls - don't dream of the end all . Grow to be strong , intelligent and amazing examples of women and you can and will be whatever you work towards . You can have a career and anything you want including that perfect man waiting for you at the end of the isle ready to treat you like the queen you are for the rest of your life . To the little boys - be honest and ask questions . Educate yourselves , learn right from wrong and understand the good in each and every one us . Be gentlemen and you will be respected . Take life day by day and the world will be at your fingertips . I don't know . We all have our opinions and I respect however you perceive me . Call me a new age hippie if you want because I choose not to dream or plan or stress . I get how that sounds 'bad' but grand scheme , I feel pretty free to do whatever and live whatever tomorrow has in store for me and I can't really find too much wrong with that . #SomeDailyJoe
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