Even though his writing is not always the easiest to decipher, C.S. Lewis is one of the most brilliant writers of all time and he happens to be my favorite. He sends me for a loop 97% of the time, but when it clicks, I’m shocked at how insightful and straightforward even his metaphors are. This was exactly what went through my mind when I read the above quote. How do people think of this stuff? And how do they make it sound so good??
Let’s list some “virtues”, shall we?
Courage
Diligence
Ability
Determination
Patience
Balance
Loyalty
Purity
Self-confidence
Idealism
This is only naming a few. Now, can you carry any of these out without courage? No. Actually, most of them need the others to survive as well. But the main focus here is courage. When did we start giving up on it? When did we all start going along for the ride called “Life” and stop being loyal to ourselves by trying to make our dreams come alive? I’m being serious. There is nothing wrong with playing it safe, or with wanting a conventional life that you feel comfortable with. But why can’t dreams keep the purity and the magic that they always had?
I hear you. Because as we grow up, we realize this is the real world and its not at all how you see it when you are so young. That is not what I’m getting at. At some point, you have to have a balance in your life of idealism and realism. I had a conversation with a girl a few days ago. She told me she had always wanted to be a veterinarian. When I asked her why she never pursued it, she said “Well all kids want to be a vet when they grow up. But it normally doesn’t happen that way.” So I started wondering… why doesn’t it? Its one thing to change your mind as you get older, but its another to give up because you don’t think you can. Is this lack of self-confidence? Many children want to be astronauts. Same situation, you think you can’t. Do they not send people in to space anymore??
And now we are getting more to my point. My sisters and I were raised to be confident and never given any limits on the goals we should set for ourselves. From first hand experience I can tell you that it takes diligence to pursue and the patience for the right timing, but amazing things will happen that you didn’t think could. Somewhere in this time I feel like I stopped believing I can, however. My mind and my body crave more; more of what this life can be and what it has to offer. Why am I not seeking more? I want to change that… What do I want to be/do/see/experience? I have no idea. But I’m not going to sit around and never feel as though I gave my full potential.
Aspirations come in all shapes and sizes; they are unique to each person they belong to. Have the courage to seek what makes you happy, and have the determination to achieve the goals that only little kids still have the ability to dream.
It's Sunday afternoon, and I need a nap.
Over and out, <3 Rachel
Post a Comment