Can we live our dreams?

Question

I'm good at my job, contributing to society etc., etc., have brought up my kids well and so on...but sometimes I just want to give it all up, and live just for ME...

I'd love to spend ALLmy time painting, writing, travelling. Just seems I can't be as creative as I want to when it's all crammed into weekend slots or half hours here and there during the week.

So why don't I take the plunge now my kids are grown? Do you think we can really live our dreams? If I persue the dream, then what will I have left to dream of doing?

Should I be practical, keep on the straight and narrow, pay the bills and not rock anyone's boat...or risk it all and take a dive into the unknown?

How many of you risked it all? What happened?

Answer 1

I myself have not had kids, nevertheless have even gotten through high school yet, but I strongly encourage you to pursue those dreams.

Do you know how many chances people want to make, have an urge to, and when they restrain it feel horrible about it in the future? Much more than needed. That's what life is all about: New experiences, new chances, all the choices, the possibilities, they're endless! Why waste a single moment of those chances? Go ahead! Take the plunge! Release yourself, set your heart free, and express the true you you've been dying to release. Because if you hold it back, your life when you tell it to your children's children will leave them crying tears of boredom. I should know. Every Christmas has been a living nightmare when my aunt starts rambling about her life as an....ugh....accountant.

Answer 2

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Sometimes it is best to focus on what you have rather than what you do not have.  

When you risk it all, you do so because what you had was not to your satisfaction.  People often believe, that people who take risks, do it because they want the rewards.  In reality, the biggest risk takers, do so because they have nothing to lose.

You belong to society. Society includes you. Consider losing that status, how much would that hurt you?

People who take big risks, never feel a part of society. Most societies do not include them.  

As I said, if you have nothing to lose, then you have no fear.  You clearly fear loss of what you have, and this ties you to society, and that tie restricts and controls you.

Answer 3

Hey, I don't think doing what you plan is living just for you, If your happy then you make everyone around you happier, and you enrich the lives of all you meet. So I think you should go for it you only live once and one day you will be too old to do that sort of stuff. You can Live your dreams if you Believe you can! If you live your dream then you will have no need for dreams of tomorrow, only dreams of what you are doing today! :) I hope this encourages you a bit :) xx

Answer 4

It depends.  Dreams change.  And when you learn who you are, the dreams become closer and closer to reality.  When they suddenly become reality, it means that you are happy with who you are and you believe you are doing what you were meant to do.

Answer 5

Just do it and risk it....if all fails at least you have lived, and you will have the qualifications/experience to get back into what you did!  You don't want to grow old and look back on your life with regrets.

My boyfriend is in a job where he isnt so happy as its not enough freedom and wants t ogive it up to become an artist.  

I know people who followed their heads rather than their dreams and they have regrets.  If you follow something you really want and you put 100% into it there is little chance of failure!

Answer 6

I say take it! You have to live for YOU. Your kids are moving onto bigger and better things in their lives and it's time you put yourself first!

My mom did this and I supported her all the way through it! She is living her dream and she encourages me to live mine!

You'll never know unless you take the chance!

Wishing you well =]

Answer 7

Yes, if you have reasonably attainable dreams.  Bound by natural laws and personal ability.  For example, there's a very good chance you'll never be able to travel to, say, the moon.  You also can't write about factual stories about your experiences in places you've never been.  But if you set reasonable, or at least, doable, dreams, you should be alright.

Answer 8

I think you should live you're dream or you'll regret it later. Take a chance. You deserve it. The people that love you will understand that you need to do this. Practical gets boring, sometimes you have to be random. Different.

I haven't lived my dream yet, but I know I will.

Answer 9

ye course you can. depends what you what you desire.  somethings are alot harder than others.  sometimes are dreams come to us .........      rarther than us chase are dreams.

Answer 10

I suppose that I never risked anything - I was always this way out didn't know that there way any other way to be.

I think the problem is making it 'other than normal'  talking about it as a dream rather than just an ordinary decision.

13 years ago I moved to a remote place deciding to become a hermit till I had figured out how I could fit into society without losing my shape; but I saw this as a pressing need not a dream - more like 'work' this is part of my process my life work to find out who I am when there is no one else defining me by their love.

lot s of peopel I knew at that time said they were jealous - I had broken their dream for them - it was what they wanted but could never do.

But it never felt like a luxury, or a courageous thing to do just an ordinary need - If I hadnt done it I might have gone very mad.

So maybe that could  be a question to ask - What will become of me if I don't follow my instinct?

Also it seems like there is always a way to have it all - talk to peopel to find out how. I still have to pay bills I still rock others boats.

My partner needed apace on hi sown too and lives nearby its a brilliant arrangement and our relationship is better for it.

My children accept me as I am not according to how I ought to be but it takes some energy to work through it all - grist to the mill for creative endeavors though.

Answer 11

Yes you can live your dreams.

And if you don't you will be telling your grandchildren how you wasted your chance on living them.

Don't die with regrets, do everything that can make you happy.

Answer 12

Keep on the straight and narrow.

Let's be practical:  your work is good, helpful, lucrative, toward retirement, health care.

How many hours is it per week:  50, counting prep and travel?

Your desires are first painting and writing (travel is an extra for now, perhaps vacations).

Seriously, if you are so motivated, rise one hour earlier each workday, alternate days at painting and notebook.  In evenings, i.e. after work, shopping, housework, do no tv, but rest, meditate http://www.easwaran.org , and give an hour an evening to painting, writing.

That's 10 hours a week; you ought be able to find another 16-20 on the weekend, if you are motivated.

While that's 50 + 10 + 18, that's a full work week which many people are able to do, if they focus.  If you are less talented than T. S. Eliot or Charles Ives or C. S. Lewis, all of whom did significant work while employed full-time in banking, teaching, and insurance, so what?  You finish good works in a little more time, that's all.

Some reading while you ponder  :)

"The Great Divorce," C. S. Lewis,

"Creation:  Artistic and Spiritual," O. M. Aivanhov,

"Nineteen Ways of Looking at Wang Wei," Weinberger and Paz,

"Going beyond the Pairs," Dennis McCort, Ph.D.,

"Shakespeare in the Light of Sacred Art," Martin Lings, Ph.D.,

"The Masters and Their Retreats," Mark Prophet,

"Testimony of Light," Helen Greaves,

"The Third Music" and "Watch Your Dreams," Ann Ree Colton,

"The Reincarnation of Edgar Cayce?", Free and Wilcock, http://www.divinecosmos.com

The grass may look more leisurely on the sans-job side, however, when one considers 10 + 16 hours per week devoted equally to painting and writing, that's about what one finds, sans-job, because one is busy finding meals, shelter, etc.  Meditation can help you find and champion your inner child joy, and keep fresh your inspiration and promise, without your having to make a drastic and perhaps "wrenching" change in order to "find time."  While perhaps crass, there are plenty of juried art exhibits around the country.  If your work is good enough for such, then it will sell, provide income, and when you're established there and/or with writing, then is the time to consider making the switch from 27 hours/week to full-time....

Answer 13

Yes, because once you reach that dream many more will follow.

Answer 14

Our parents always tell us to follow our dreams so why not follow yours.   You have to make yourself happy.   You have raised your kids and now its your time to grow.   Know exactly what you want to do and just do it.   Have fun with it.   After all if you don't follow some of your dreams  will your kids ever follow theirs?

Answer 15

Yep, that is exactly what I did.  I was in a marriage that wasn't working, living in a state that was economically depressed, educated myself in a field I found unethical once I started practicing and living without zest for life.  I chunked it all, moved to CA, got divorced, changed careers, started a couple of businesses that I really enjoyed, made a lot of money and went into semi-retirement at 38.  Now I only take on projects that I find challenging, creatively fulfilling and enjoyable.  I live a happier life, have a wonderful husband, built a fantastic home, live in a great neighborhood surrounded with caring neighbors, have traveled the world, learned and grew to be a better person and find as a result I am more at peace than I ever was before.  I wonder what would have happened if I just stayed where I was, living the status quo and didn't rock the boat. My choices worked for me, so I don't see why living your dreams wouldn't work for you.

Answer 16

hey janna...... you are living your dream...... the job... the family.... its your dream......... only you can change your  dream........ go forward..... what if can never be answered.....