destination: aspiration

I’ve spent the last week reorganizing myself and getting back into the swing of things. The week has flown by, and I have allowed myself time to relax, reevaluate and refocus on how the next few months might look. At this point I remember that I have no clue what the next few months will look like, and strangely I’m alright with that. Periods of transition tend to create feelings of discomfort, however I can confidently say that at the moment, I feel at peace with not knowing. I am well aware that we live in a society where we are constantly planning ahead. The next job, the next experience to add to your resume, the next internship, the next step in the right direction toward your career. I am even more aware of how paralyzing the amount of unknowns can be, and how the unending options and choices you have at your disposal can sometimes pose to be unhelpful, rather than exciting.

Over the past six months I have been consciously working at having an open mind, a positive outlook on life and above all: being content with where I am right now. I will say, I am proud of myself for continuously learning how rewarding it feels to be living in the present. To not only find myself amidst discomfort, but also to seek discomfort. To experience things as they come, instead of always having my eyes set on things ahead. It’s not always easy, but I have felt much happier after realizing that I don’t need to figure everything out all at once — and that has been the most freeing sensation to undergo.

Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking about dreams. It seems that as humans, we are constantly flirting with the faint line that separates drive and defeat. Between dreaming and self-destructing.

We are measured by success, by the facade of utter perfection, which leads us to overthink each move we make. This can lead to the realization that our dreams have the potential to fail, and suddenly we are consumed by fear instead of inspiration and motivation.

I am no exception to the back and forth feelings between feeling happy where I am and worried about where I am going. How do we find balance between the routine stability we have created for ourselves, and our innate hunger to grow and reinvent ourselves?

How do we ensure that our dreams are inflating our hearts and minds, rather than leaving us feeling devastated whenever there is a slight (or major) setback in our plan — whether that be concrete or hypothetical?

Living out your dreams and doing what makes you happy is something widely glorified, and universally striven for. A mantra that is constantly regurgitated to us. Do what makes you happy. Something that sounds simple, but proves to be exquisitely complex at the same time. In saying this, I believe that there are times when a dream can remain a fantasy and there are times when you need to fight to bring your dream to life. To work hard, and not just sit back and let things happen.

The tough part is trying to figure out when the appropriate time is for both, and I don’t think there is anything that can really reveal this except time itself. And experiences. And learning what is important to you.

Happiness is not interchangeable with success. It doesn’t mean constant action or constant change or that every moment needs to be adding up to a clearly set destination. Happiness is being grateful for everything that you have. The struggle and the joys — being thankful that you have the opportunities and options that you do.

This is easier said than done.

A dream is something that helps put life into perspective. It is something you might not have, but yearn for. Something that helps steady your sanity when reality appears to be less appealing. Something you strive for. Something you hope silently for. Something you might not want to achieve because the lust of imagining it is more attractive to you than actually achieving it.

Dreams were never meant to bound you, to discourage you, to confine you.

I wholeheartedly believe in the process, but trusting the process is a whole different ball game, and will always be the most difficult part for me.

I know there are times when your ambitions feel unreachable and your hopes feel impossible.

I want to urge you to believe in yourself enough to move forward. Do not give up before you even try.

When your dreams breach the capacity of your mind, resist discouragement.

You are far more capable than you think.

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