My idea to embrace for today:
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well” Martin Luther King Jr.
This quote made me think about the people I know who followed their dreams.
A person who gave up a lucrative job as a union electrician to go back to school for a degree in Labor Policy that eventually led to a position with the NYS Assembly. He then went full circle to work for the union again, this time as an organizer/representative. More of a big deal than you would think when you consider he did it in his late 40’s.
A bus driver who drives a bus so he has time to think and write poetry in his head while following his route.
A carpenter who takes pride in building and restoring homes and who has turned down jobs with big companies for a guaranteed salary because he wants to work his way.
An elderly man who interviewed for a job cleaning an office. His wife filled out his application because he could not write too well. He showed up for the interview in a suit complete with vest and jaunty cap. Because it was clear he took pride in his work and what he did, he was hired. His work went unmatched and he never missed a day from work. He was thrilled when he came up with ideas to save a few dollars for the company. Dreams don’t always involve making millions of dollars or being the CEO of a large corporation.
Following Your Dreams
The first, and most important, step to take in starting to follow your dream involves deciding what it is you really want to do with your life. There are those of us who would love an opportunity to work on Wall Street, and there are those of us who would prefer working for a non-profit organization. And still others who do take pride in sweeping streets or cleaning offices, as well they should.
I suppose a lot of it comes down to being able or willing to take risks. Once you discover what would make you happy, then to follow your dreams as best you can.
