There’s one thing that I’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done yet and now the dawn of a new decade has begun and the dreams of the next ten years have left the launching pad with a screaming YEEHAW! Life is open to suggestions and not taking any numbers or standing in line and I have a secret.
As I look back over my life I think the things that have held me back over the last decade have been primarily what others think. Now the inner struggle begins and I wonder if this is the best way to start my first writing of the New Year. Should I be sitting here on January 1, 2010 looking back over the past ten years, finding places to lay blame on my lack of accomplishment? What will people think of me? Aargh, see what I mean.
I must soldier on with this process; it just feels like the right thing to do. I guess that whole saying; those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it is the clause by which I will excuse myself.
I’ve wondered, worried, and conformed to others opinions for more than ten years. My life has always been lived on the edge and when others wouldn’t try things I would jump into it with full force and no reservation, but there is a side of me that has been very reserved and almost fearful. It’s a side that says, be careful, you may not be accepted if you pursue what you want to do and not what others think you should do.
I read a quote the other day and it said, Doing things just because you think you should is the lowest form of living. I don’t know that I agree entirely because there are things that are guided by the rudder of your conscience, but part of the quote resonates within me. If I’m just living to please others or to accomplish what they think I should do, am I truly living? That’s a great question, and I’m not quite sure I have the answer.
I know that there are burning passions and desires living inside me to do things that I’ve been afraid to do. Is that something that I should pursue? There are a few questions that I must resolve in order to follow this path.
Would this decision conflict with my morals, ethics or the code by which I live my life?
Would this decision affect my family relationships in a negative way?
Those are the only two questions that really matter in any decision making process. Those truly are the two questions I should have been asking all along.
Bungled Decisions and Bad Calls
In the past I’ve made some bungled decisions and bad calls based primarily on how it would affect people who barely know me. As odd and counter Jeremy as that seems it’s true. Those days are over.
I was in Pecanland Mall in Monroe, Louisiana on December 23rd doing some last minute Christmas shopping when my wife and I bumped into her tenth grade English teacher. It was unique to watch them embrace and then to hear my wife inform her that she was the single most influential teacher in her life. The tenth grade teacher’s eyes brimmed with tears and she hugged Jennifer tightly and said, That makes my day, no, that makes my year.
The gratitude with which the tenth grade teacher approached this embrace was explained in a few minutes. She said, I’ve never really known if I’ve truly made a difference. I’ve often wondered if I chose the right profession. She continued, I’ve always wanted to be a professional public speaker but I guess that door is closed now, time to let that dream go. I couldn’t help myself and I blurted out quickly, That’s ludicrous, why live with a regret when you can pursue a passion with the same energy. I then proceeded to tell her about Colonel Sanders and the long list of all of the successful people that I knew who had gotten a later start. It inspired and motivated her and she left this happenstance meeting feeling revived and renewed in her pursuit of passion. Then it hit me, I should probably take my own advice.
It’s time to start a fresh and new perspective. It’s truly time to chase my dreams and live life the way I want to so that I can look back after the next ten years and say, I really went for it. This doesn’t mean that I’ll quit everything that I’ve been doing nor does it mean that I haven’t accomplished anything that I’ve wanted to. I actually love my life and I’m extremely content with my life but I’m not satisfied. I need to tweak a few things and really pursue my passions.
I promise you, there won’t be any dramatic changes, and I’m not getting my nose pierced or attempting to become a world-class alligator wrestler. I’m simply fine-tuning some dormant dreams that are dying to become realities.
A good friend of mine said this to me yesterday, Sometimes you do what you gotta do until you get to do what you want to do. That’s a pretty good quote, I’m not just doing what I have to do, I actually enjoy what I’m currently doing. I’m just making a dawning of the decade decision to pursue that one thing that I’ve always wanted to do.
My Secret
I know you are probably dying to know what it is and I’m honestly a little bit trepidatious to even release this top secret information that’s been buried for so long inside of me.
Well, here goes; I’ve always wanted to be a country music singer. Wow, that was actually harder than I thought to get out. I’m still a bit nervous about what you will think about this revelation. Now, I’m realizing that you are probably laughing your head off while imagining me with a mullet singing Achy Breaky Heart. Okay, I didn’t see that reaction coming. Sure, go ahead and laugh, I appreciate your encouragement.
Truthfully ever since I was a kid that’s been a dream and I actually have tons of songs that I’ve written that aren’t too bad. At least my dog doesn’t think they’re too bad.
This doesn’t alter my desire to change the world and impact people for the greater good, it just gives me an excuse to truly pursue a hobby and a passion that I’ve always longed for but never danced with.
Buried deep inside all of us there is a dream that we long for and a desire that we entertain but rarely voice or pursue. What’s yours?
I’ve decided to live life unlimited in 2010. What about you? What dream are you too scared to admit for fear that people will laugh at you. I went first so that you wouldn’t have to. It’s your move.
Go for it.
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Bravo Jeremy, Bravo! *Clapping*
Excellent! Excellent! Alright bro – I truly dig what you said. Susan Jeffers once said: "Feel the fear and do it anyway". This blog post has, I believe, successfully highlighted that point of view. Time to take charge of your day and your life and step out on the journey you've always wanted to take. In my opinion, everyone needs to read this article in this new year.
For my money, the alligator wrestling seems a little dangerous – but I can't WAIT until I see you with your nose pierced! (And if I ever see you wearing a mullet, singing 'Achy, Breaky, Heart'…I'll go ahead and let you know now that I'll be laughing AT you and not WITH you.)
Thanks Jon. It means a lot that you enjoyed the article. I have written a song for you that I will be performing at the country music awards entitled, "I Have The Coolest Red Goatee Ever". It's going to be stellar. Okay, so I'm going country and I'm pretty sure you should go metal. I hear Stryper is making a comeback, maybe they need an opening act. hmmmm could be cool.
Seriously, thanks for the encouragement dude. It took a lot to put that out there. Now I just have to do something about it. Nashville is calling my name. whoo hoo
Wow, most excellent my good man! Thank you for sharing your heart on this blog. Like you, I desire to enact the hidden dreams inside but have been afraid of what people might think. I'm working on that part, and this post has given me that extra encouragement to go for it! Thanks Jeremy!