Put Your Dream To The Test (part 2)
Posted By Aaron Marcelli on January 31, 2010
“A dream is an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.” That self-made definition of John Maxwell’s serves as the hinge of the introduction to his book, Put Your Dream To The Test. While underlining it, I reflected on the words “inspiring picture of the future” and could not help but think of the word vision. I mean, is that not what a vision is? Something that is not yet but you see it so clearly you believe it is possible and knowing it’s possible excites you to try and make it reality? To me it is, and that’s why I was already hooked on this book, three pages in.
The introduction went on to present the reasons many of our dreams slip away as well as the necessity of living with a dream. Maxwell states that those who don’t have a compelling dream are in danger of having their lives slip away. I have learned that if you don’t decipher what you want for your life and then go after it, someone else will. That’s when we find ourselves old and miserable because we have been doing someone else’s work for someone else’s vision and contributed nothing to what gives us meaning and contentment. Many allow life to close up on their dreams though, believing such things are only for the rich, famous, or fortunate when those of us who have true burning dreams cannot help but long to follow them despite the risks. And I believe that it is those who dare to do so and succeed who most of the time become the rich, the famous, and the fortunate. “You can’t reach for a dream and remain safely mediocre at the same time” (pg. xvi). That quote scares many in our security-driven culture but I believe it also motivates some, most likely those who will go on to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives.
The introduction of the book ends with Maxwell listing why so many give up on their dreams. I had to take this list as a personal check sheet as those who enter half-hearted, insecure, or only looking for the material reward will most likely fail.
So much to say and I’m not even to chapter one yet!
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