When I was in the final months of my high school career I formed a band with some of my close friends. At first we began playing music for fun but as time went on it became something more, it became a dream. We released some music and our friends seemed to like it. So we released some more music, and people seemed to genuinely enjoy listening to it. We figured if we could just get more exposure and more fans maybe we could really make something out of this band thing. But time goes by and "life happens" as one of my friends likes to say, and we still hadn't got to the point we had hoped, and the band became stagnant. This band life was my dream as a young adult. I watch these bands, whom I loved, play their music for big crowds every night and drive around the country with their best friends, and I wanted to do that! I wanted it so bad, and I still want that. I don't care about being famous or making loads of money, I just want to do something I know I'll love. And obviously there are lots of bands out there who tour and make a living at it. Why couldn't I do that too?
There comes a point though, in your life when you have to make a decision on what you want to go for. But my question is, when is that point? When do you let go of your dreams and begin working toward something that is more safe? Sadly I don't have the answer for that question. It is something that has consumed so much of my thoughts. So I ask you, is there a time to move on from your dreams? Or should you never let go and keep chasing it until you you've either caught it or no longer have the energy or will to continue? Theres really no right or wrong answer to these questions, and Im very interested to see what people think!
Dan,
ReplyDeleteDreams are by their very nature something to be desired. unfortunately they are often unrealistic. The world we live in makes it seem like dreams are all we think they will be but often times people attain them and find they are not at all what they expected. Sometimes they are better and sometimes they are not. Maybe less focus on dreams is the answer. " what ever your hand finds to do, do it as unto the Lord". I think life is less about dreams and more about opportunity. Dreams will come and go through your life and as you get older you will regret somethings and be grateful for others but the key in my opinion is to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way each day. If today you have an opportunity to play music, then do it and do it well but don't let it be the cause of missing other opportunities that may be coming your way. The curious things about about dreams is that when we wake up then reality hits us in the face but there will always be another dream at the end of the day.
Mayyyybe a reunion/final show with dave and alex as Cadence would have made you feel better.
ReplyDelete.. a thoughtful post Dan. I like dreams, I think they are great gifts from God, because they allow us to see things as they might be, they allows us to ask about our own potentials and perhaps even see ourselves in roles we would otherwise not envision ourselves in. I think “doing your band thing” must have been a blast, great experience. Understanding when that dream has played out its use, and when to “let it go” is important too (and it sounds/reads like you did.)
ReplyDeleteAt twenty years old I think it’s great to envision new ways, new paths, new methods. Francis Chan has lived out his ministry life in a much different style than Francis Schaffer (a contemporary Christian writer of ‘70’s and ‘80’s) somewhere along Chan’s path he must have asked “Lord give me a vision (dream) of how this should play out, show me my role! Help me see and live out the potentials you have built into me. ”
I do not think your potentials are any smaller than Francis Chan (or anyone else) in terms of being a difference maker – my encouragement, keep dreaming, keep asking, keep testing your dreams against the paths you believe God has set before you.