If this sounds like a commencement speech, it is: You’re beginning a new
endeavor, a new class, a new chapter in your life. With the information you’re
learning, you’re to be congratulated. You’re making dreams come true.
You’re going to need your dreams. I want to be honest. There are people out there who
will say, “Forget your dream.” “Dreaming gets you in trouble.” These
are the dream-smashers. These are the people who demand, “When will you have time to
take a class?” Or, “Why think it will be different this time—you’re
bound to fail.” And then there’s this one: “You’re too old to learn
something new!”
Dream smashers are powerful and so convincing that we buy into the lies. When that happens
we lose focus, we become weak. You can beat the dream smashers by never, ever believing
them.
Dreams—the desires to change professions, learn about creativity and writing and
using computers—are intangible to start. In the beginning, dreams can be crushed far
too quickly. Don’t let this happen. Right now your dream may seem too silly, too
crazy, too wonderful--too big. That’s okay. That’s the way it’s meant to
be.
I believe we must dare to dream, believe, feel, take risks. If necessary we dust off our
egos and backsides and recapture our dreams. We must listen with our heart and our head. I
believe in the power of dreams. I believe in your dreams. Hold on to the ones that can
become something wonderful. Release those that just don’t fit anymore. Be flexible.
Consider alternatives. Sure you’ll have disappointments. Yet in the darkest hours of
the darkest days, it’s our dreams that keep us breathing and walking forward.
Then, go further. Dare to be the man or woman who encourages others to use the power of
dreams. Be one of those incredible people who know how to share this gift. Be a miracle
maker, a role model, as you make your own dreams come true.
A fulltime writer, motivational speaker and author of more than 40 books
and over 1000 magazine articles, Eva Shaw, Ph.D., teaches the online courses
“Writeriffic: Creativity Training for Writers” and “The Craft of Magazine
Writing.” This summer, she’ll begin teaching “Write Your Life Story”
and “Travel Writing.” A resident of Carlsbad, California, Eva uses her spare
time to spend with family, volunteer, hike, garden, read and play a never-ending game of
fetch with her rambunctious Welsh terrier, Zippy.
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Dare To Dream by Eva Shaw, Ph.D