As I wrote the title of this post, a scene from the movie Pretty Woman popped into my head: “Welcome to Hollywood! What’s your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams.”
Those words have stuck with me over the years (please don’t judge my addiction to pop culture) and at random times, depending on the mood and situation, I can be be heard blurting out those famous last lines from the character listed in the credits as Happy Man.
“What’s your dream?”
Today, as many of us enjoy the benefits of a national holiday—no work, no school, a sale at Babies “R” Us (oh, is that just me?)—I’m reflecting on my own dreams. Not those created by the false promises of Hollywood, but the ones rooted in faith.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” MLK had a big dream. He dreamed of a day when sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners would sit down together at the table of brotherhood. A day when his children would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. A day when black children would join hands with white children. A day when all people could say free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
I see Dr. King’s dream today. It is alive and well. I also see how it remains a work in progress. Most dreams—the ones worth having and the ones worth stepping out on faith for—are like that.
So, friends. What’s your dream?
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My dream is a world at peace and better understanding among folks. That is what we try to do in Rotary and it’s a work in progress. If we each try a little harder to live the Golden Rule, we would be that much closer to peace in the world.
Understanding. I think fear blocks understanding. We’re (in general) afraid to open up our hearts, minds and ears and listen.
Peace, contentment, and no ego for all.
Ego is a biggie. That’s why I love Eckhart Tolle’s books and how they illustrate how the ego works and robs us of our peace.
You know mine for myself.
For the world around me, I wish for people to realize we’re all the same and stop focusing on the things that divide us.
And you know mine!
For myself, I dream to reach my potential–whether that be creatively or in my relationships with others or what have you. I just want to do all that I can do.
For the world, I’d like to see a return to faith and real religion–not the kind that it is used to win elections and forward pet causes and swindle people out of their money and sanity, but the kind that inspires someone to dedicate their life to something greater than themselves.
Yes. What you said.
Dreams….. hopes…. desires…
That my children will grow up and be a benefit to the society we live in
To get beyond survival mode with regards to finances
To get a college degree
To write a book one day
To leave behind an honorable legacy
To see peace on earth
Ok, I guess that is a good start….
oooops, I should have said EARN a college degree. That is not something you can go into the store and purchase. LOL…
Such an important distinction, between “getting” and “earning” — we can all benefit from understanding and appreciating the difference.
I am so overwhelmed that I can’t identify a dream for myself. Right now i have to take satisfaction in getting through each day successfully. So, I guess right now, my dream is to get to the place where I can see and articulate my dream.
That’s a valid and necessary place to be… I’ve been there and find myself there every so often. It’s cyclical.