Shakespeare was WRONG!! “To be or not to be” was NEVER the question. The question is, was, and will always be… to dream or not to dream.
First, let’s talk about “dreams”, and exempt all those non-dreams; the “wants”, the “desires”, the “it would be kinda neat to…” etc. Because a REAL dream is something that drives you every waking moment of your life, realigns your self discipline, and compels you to recalibrate your “give up” point. Dreams are the things that move otherwise stationary people so much so… that they just keep on going. REAL dreams defy logic, but it’s the faulty logic that comes from underestimating one’s abilities. REAL dreams require unreasonable actions, and that is why I despise reasonableness with zenith of gusto.
No man would ever become exceptional if not for his willingness to be unreasonable in the pursuit of his dreams.
Donut wishes everyone a very merry Christmas!!!
You see, as humans, our default setting is to imagine. It’s what we do. The magic, however, comes in the doing; the pursuit and ultimately the realization of those mental images, that only in hindsight… turns them into dreams. And THIS, is where 95% of our contemporaries don’t even show up. As I’ve said before, the metrics for humanity are that only 5% of us will actively & persistently set out to build our dreams. The remaining 95% will be hired by the other 5%… to help them build theirs.
No one can ever affect your life like you can.
So, get busy shining yours, or get paid to shine theirs… until tomorrow.
-Sean Patrick Flanery
Good one. 3 yrs ago my dream was to sell everything and travel in an RV full time. Reality of it has been even better than the dream. Now I’m getting knee surgery and exercising and have lost 18 pounds. Things are looking pretty good for this dreamer and realist. Just must prepare for things in a realistic manner and have a positive attitude, even when you break down in the Mohave Desert.
So far, this is my favorite blog of yours. I think it’s brilliant to separate dreams into categories. I have the kind of dream you’re talking about — the REAL dream. It creates this spark in me that causes me to keep moving forward & work towards turning it into a reality. Unfortunately, for right now, it only exists in my mind. But I’m hoping to make it happen in 2013.
They is no try only do…yoda. told This to nick ladt night when he wanted to skip homework. And to myself, ive lost 6 lbs since NOLA walking 30 min a day.wut. dreams needs action
Shining my own life…not getting paid to shine others. As always, Sean, you inspire thought. And Merry Christmas to Donut. Really cute pic. Shelley
Thanks for posting this. It’s just what I need right now. I’ve been putting off my dream(s) way too long, for fear of failure. Yet I guess I’ll never know if I could succeed, if I never even try, right?
God Bless, Merry Christmas, and kisses to Donut! 🙂
Merry Christmas Donut & family!!!! xo
Just as I was about to give up… You pull me back in 😉 Thanks for the encouragement, Sean! The world would be such a dull place without you
Merry Christmas to You and Donut <3
Dreams not pursued by action are simply that, dreams with little prospect of being attained. Action taken without a plan or direction is simply that action with little prospect of success. Tie the plan and the action together and the dreams can become reality.
Great blog Sean! Taking in to heart! And my siblings and I wish you and Donut have a very merry chirstmas!
Forgot to credit this quote to Julie Watson. It is one of my favorites. I get caught up in my everyday struggles and forget my dreams sometimes. Thanks for reminding me.
I love that your blog makes me look at my life in a whole new light. Since I have been reading your blogs I have found myself stopping and re-examining my daily choices and actions. I am excited about where this new awareness of myself and my surroundings is going to take me in life. Wherever this roads leads I am sure it will be better than where I have been. So, from the bottom of my heart, no matter where this path takes me, Thank You!
I find that every time I try to address a certain thing in my mind, you address it in a blog shortly thereafter and somewhat assemble whatever jumbled mess of thoughts and concerns I have – this being one of them.
I’m pretty sure dreams are more than just finding oneself and the more time I spend in college makes me realize how true that is. My biggest fear coming out of here is continuing to somewhat blend right into mediocrity and settle for something. My goal is to do less imagining and more building.
Anyway, great post as always! Hope you & Donut enjoy your holiday.
This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: “Dreams not pursued by action are simply that, dreams with little prospect of being attained. Action taken without a plan or direction is simply that action with little prospect of success. Tie the plan and the action together and the dreams become reality.” Julie Watson I become so occupied with my daily struggles that I sometimes forget my dreams. Thanks for reminding me.
We all grow up to dream and yet when we become adults we give up on these dreams. When I was younger my dreams were simple. As I have aged it has become more difficult, you see at 23 I was diagnosed with a disease that effects my vision that within the last 5 years I have become legally blind. My world fell apart…not being able to work, drive, any of the normal everyday things. I almost gave up completely…but I allowed myself to dream to push on and I have I have filled my life with nothing but positive and hard work. Steroids for 5 years to save my vision ruined my body with 180 extra pounds, but I have worked everyday to loose every one of those pounds….its a process everyday and will be a forever struggle. But dream to be better and life will make it so….sean has it right and is willing to speak the truth. We all need to take the initiative to make dreams come true.
technical difficulties – sorry to have posted so many times. 🙂
It wasn’t until recently that most of my life’s dreams started coming true. I really don’t know how or why it’s happening, but it is. And I like dreaming, it’s fun.
If we keep dreaming, we find the drive to keep living. In my experience, at least, perseverence is GOLD! <3
Keep dreaming, lovelies!
"But if you don't dream big what's the use in dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes one hope to make the stars worth reaching for
So reach out for something more" Emily Shackelton
“the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.” ― Jack Kerouac, On the Road
wow, my dream is to be a screenwriter and as I got a late start to college choosing my country over my education it is double duty for me because I am also a single mom. I do hope I am a positive role model for my daughter. I have no other adversity than managing my schedule as well as my daughter’s, unless you take into account I also have to struggle against the stereotype of “dumb blondes.”
I have Dreams & working toward them. I believe they are all at different stages right now, some further along than others. I don’t know how to give up & just moving forward till I get where I want to go. Thank you for all of your words of wisdom & for always being encouraging with your blogs. Merry Christmas Sean Patrick Flanery & Donut too. 🙂
If I can instill in my little girl the passion to steadfastly pursue her dreams, then I believe I will have realised one of my own. Thankyou Sean for reminding us that if you can dream it you can achieve it.
“Nadolig Llawen” Merry Christmas From Wales. Here’s hoping we all make our dreams come true x
Beautiful sentiments sweet friend. Dreams are the foundation for hope and belief we can have something better in our lives.
Donut looks absolutely adorable, if not a little abashed to be wearing a ribbon. Merry Christmas to you both. May the coming year bring all your dreams true. (Hugs) Indy
Dear Sean!!
Love the way you write, make me really glad everytime you let us know that is a new post! This time was no exception. About this post i think that dreams don’t come true only by wishing, we have to work every single day to get us closer to what we really want in life, and when that it’s not enough try harder. It’s necessary and positive to have a goal but it’s even better to work in that direction, otherwise is just whishful thinking. I believe that is better to try your best everyday, don’t leave things for tomorrow if it is possible to do them now, that is the way i live, in the moment. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us!! Have a great day :). Love
Ivana
Sean, You always amaze me. You just have a way with words!
bit it doesn’t matter how big or small a dream is right? as long as i really want to achieve it. right? right?
To do otherwise would be, well… reasonable.
What if one of my dreams is to get you to send me an autographed picture of you…do I go for that dream and ask you?
so to NOT do everything to make my dreams come true if comes the point when i’m feeling limited and i’m feeling like i’m way over my head and i should just stop because i’m thinking crazy would be reasonable and therefore would hinder me from becoming exceptional? be unreasonable = be exceptional. do EVERYTHING you can to achieve what you want, if you want it bad enough. seriously though, did i get that right? tell me. the timeliness of your messages astounds me.
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
― Lewis Carroll, from Alice in Wonderland
My question to Mr. Carroll would be: “Why only six?” Curiouser and curiouser….
I dream of a better life …. no no that’s wrong let me re-frays… the best life for my 5 boys. My 4 adopted lads have already been through so so much (terrible ‘beep’) and deserve the very best that this world can give.
I love my boys, that is all.
Due to an event that just happened moments ago, I will now have the ability to pursue not 1, but 2, life long dreams. Finally being able to sell my artwork and pursue acting. Everyone has always rolled their eyes and said yeah right, well even though I’ve wanted to give up, I haven’t and never will! Dream big or why bother dreaming, that is the way I’ve always thought. Any dream is reasonable, as long as it is your own.
As always, awesome blog! I’m trying!!!!
Merry Christmas to Donut! I like the bun!!! She is a lovely gift <3 🙂
Ah a dream. Once upon a time I had big plans to be a writer. Alas, I postponed that to be at home with my children while my husband defends our country. I dream of one day telling my story through the pages of book.
2013 dream/goal/gonnahappen… Walk Camino De Santiago on North Coast of Spain. 500 miles. 40th birthday. I can barely walk 9 miles without throwing up now. nevertheless….
All dreams I believe come with a price, and sometimes you must take chances and really believe in what you want and what you want to accomplish, maybe that price is worth paying in the end. The only thing that matters is that you are healthy, happy, filled with love and dignity and compassion and respect for others. You can be a little dreamer or a big dreamer, you can always have your head in the clouds if you want to, as long as you know, eventually you need to come back down to reality and turn all those dreams into the real thing. Some dreams are seriously worth doing, the gifts you receive from that dream, can be the most beautiful and precious rewards in the entire world. All you need to do is pull yourself out of the darkness and into the light, keep Shining as Sean our wonderwall has said.
Some dreams are so unrealistic you know they will never come true. But it’s fun dreaming them. Merry Christmas to you and Donut.
Sean, your blogs make me think, they make me feel, and they make me take action in some form.
And Mizz Donut always makes me smile.
Thank you for another inspiring blog, Sean. I’m living my dream, but this does nudge me stop putting off some of my dreams and start making them happen.. If I don’t do it now, when will I? Donut is beautiful as usual and so are you. Have a very Merry Christmas, Sean!
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I… I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
For most people it seems we all have that cross roads with our dreams. Take the path that looks the easiest, or take the path that will take work to get to your dream. That 95% will take that smoother path, and keep ending up back at that cross roads in a endless circle until they just give up. That 5% though take that other path. It may prove a challenge but when they reach the end…. It makes all the difference! 🙂
I dream of changing the world. I am going to be the first person from my family since we came over from Ireland to graduate from college and this is the only thing that drives me to college. My dream. What I think about all day every day. What I see in my dreams is me up on the stage at the Oscars accepting my spot among oscar alumn as the youngest woman to even win an Oscar for film direction. It is all that keeps me on the track to a life in fine arts.
I love this. This time last year I was so sure I could just coast by doing shit I didn’t care about for the rest of my life and be content with it… Six months into my office job and FUCK. THAT. I will bust my ass and bother everyone I have to bother to get to where I wanna be. I wasn’t sure before, but I’m pretty sure now: I won’t be happy until I’m doing what I love to do. Maybe I’ll make you up or costume you one day, Sean. C:
Sometimes I feel like all I have are dreams and I’m lost in them…I need to learn how to focus and how to find my way to archive them -Dri
“…despise reasonableness…” = awesome.
Wow….I love when the puzzle pieces come together. A couple weeks ago Sean, I asked if you had any pet peeves and you said “reasonableness.” I’ll admit I was a bit perplexed by your answer. I knew your answer wasn’t a typo or autocorrect….you say what you mean…and I tried to figure out how reasonableness could be something you despise. I won’t lie….I didn’t understand what you meant until I read this blog and now I can’t stop nodding my head in agreement. One of my most favorite things about you is how your mind works. I read this blog 10 times already and I love how a few paragraphs can blow me away. Phenomenal blog, Sean. Happy Christmas to you, Donut and your family. God bless.
I am working on my dreams everyday, re-educating the ignorant. Ignorance regarding hate towards people based solely on their lifestyle choices or the color of their skin. My dream motivates me every day and as I am educating the teenagers I work with, I have to continually educate myself as well. My bucket list dream is to be a Humanitarian in South Sudan/Sudan, working with Emmanuel Jal and other former child soldiers. All people in the world deserve an education and it would be a dream come true to educate those with the greatest need. Thank you for creating this blog, it is truly inspirational. Peace
Everyone is telling what their dreams are, but what are yours for your future, Sean? You already inspire so many with your words and all you do. What more do you dream for?
Your mind is amazing. Merry Christmas and keep shining a bright light.
Wonderful blog! Very inspiring, Sean! Thanks for your amazing insight. You are so right. If you have a dream…the kind that fuels your very soul, then never, ever give it up. Often the greatest dreams have been achieved from the wildest of hairs. Never give up because others don’t believe in you. I know what it is like to be told by a professor that “you will never be able to make an A in my class. You are **just** an average student”. Ouch. “JUST”. Honestly, is there any more depressing word in the English language? Sly, insidious “just”. It’s insulting, even when it doesn’t intend be, and is the treacherous, subtle killer of dreams everywhere. Again, thanks Sean.
(oh, btw…I DID make an “A” in that professor’s class, and went on to graduate at the top of my class, and become, according to him, his favorite research assistant…EVER. When I reminded him of what he said to me, he smiled this sly, knowing smile, and said “I knew that would get your mind right and your ass in gear.”. What. A. Jerk. And my favorite professor, of all time!)
Oh…btw…LOVE the pic of Donut. She’s a gorgeous girl, To quote Fast Eddie Felson (The Hustler), she’s “beautiful…all pink and powdered up”, 🙂 Merry Christmas to you, Donut, and your family. And may the new year be a healthy, prosperous and blessed one for you all!
And a quote came to my mind, and I thought I would share it with your Sean, because it is so appropriate to describe you. “:Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”
― J.M. Barrie
Thank you for all you do, Sean, to help others feel the blessed sunshine that is warming their shoulders. God bless you and yours, always.
Merry Christmas Sean and Donut + God Bless 🙂
Oh and I really enjoyed this blog.
BTW Brazilian JiuJitsu is super I’m so glad I’m finally doing it,
and I now take MMA class as well its great to get out + make
things happen 🙂 🙂 🙂
You know Sean this is an wonderful blog! you really encourage me more now! I want to be a good graphic designer! thats where my heart and passion lays, I’m always having fun which what I’m doing now it motivates me everyday it’s important that you believe in your self and believe with what your doing! Thats what I do every day being positive in good days and ofcourse with not so good days!
The not so good days are the hard one, but you’ll learn more of it and you come back stronger
thanks for the encouragement & wisdom!!
Merry Christmas Sean & Donut <3!!
As James Dean said “dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today” .this blog may be your best yet. So beautifully worded, yet straight to the point. I have always been one to go after my dreams. so far it has worked well for me. Merry Christmas to you and your family. And of course, Donut.
Another great blog Sean! Your blogs could not have come at a better time for me as the last few months have been life changing moments for me as I reevaluate my life and make huge changes!! Your words are inspiring me to move on and actually do the things I need to do to finally make my dreams come true! So, many many thanks to you and keep your wonderful words of wisdom coming our way!
And a Merry Christmas to you and Donut! 🙂
People tell me i’m crazy because my dreams are bigger than theirs, that there’s not point in dreaming and i’m only gonna end up disappointed. but what they don’t know is that i’m doing everything in my power to make them happen. i love my dreams, and i’m keeping them close to me.
but what i’m thinking about is.. if you only dream about something approachable, something that isn’t risky, something that you know, not for sure but there’s a good chance, will happen… is that a dream? and are you living your life for real?
no, i’m gonna stick to my big pointless dreams and i’m gonna hit bottom so many times before getting them.
Merry Christmas to you and Donut! 🙂
My dream is to become a Paramedic and move to Derry, Northern Ireland…EMT class is almost over, which is my first step so I’m on my way to achieving my dream. I won’t ever give it up!
I know I made my the first part of my dream come true, I am working my ass off for the rest of it. I hope that fulfilling my dream will inspire my daughter to do the same. My daughter being happy in life, following my drive and determination is what keeps me pushing harder, farther. I’m the only role model she has, and if I don’t push, dream and achieve, how can I expect her to?
Today just reminds me that even though we all have our own dreams, we also have dreams for our children. My dream is to watch my child grow up, to be able to provide for her and help her achieve greatness and make her dreams come true.
I forgot to ask earlier, is it (dare I say it) “reasonanable” to assume you are living your dream? You write with such conviction but also as someone who has done it, has got there, has built the dream to reality bridge and crossed it! Or are there more bridges to construct? I suspect your answer may be yes, for the powerful man is the one who has dreams not the one who has all the facts! Right Sean?
Love love love it I’m working towards my dream got alot to do first but I will get there and your right my dream is the only thing keeping me on the track I am on. This is my favourite blog from you yet Sean thank you and
Keep dreaming
merry christmas to you and cute and funny donut. i love the picture! i’m happy when i see you and when i read your blog with your beautiful words.you’re a great man sean! i hope to meet you one day,its one of my dream. marskiss
Usually I find something to argue against in your writing. This time all I have is what Shakespeare meant about ‘to be or not to be,’ but you’re a smart fella. I’m sure you already know.
“Marzeniem jest nie marzyć,
marzeniem jest bycie w centrum świata.
Marzeniami żyje sie tylko raz, wtedy gdy mogą się spełnić.
Te które sie nie spełniają, ida w niepamięć, przemijają.”
” Dream`s yet don`t dream,
dream`s is be in cetre the world.
Dream`s live oneself, only one, then as can is do.
Who can`t do, walk in no remember, pass away.”
Loved this blog & sometimes I feel like your talking directly to me. Never thought of being unreasonable always trying to be reasonable. I seem to dream more in my 40’s than I ever did in my younger years. Life goes by so fast if you don’t dream you may miss it! Think I was always content & happy..didn’t dream much & now all I do is dream. I want to be unreasonable just have to talk my reasonable side into it 😉 Life can be complicated but dreams never are..they are hope. Thanks so much for this blog I really needed it. I have things I need to work on in my life & myself..then on to my dreams 🙂 Adorable pic of Donut & I wish you both a very Merry Christmas 🙂 Thanks for always giving me a better look at what life should be=Good & Happy/Healthy..working on it xo
I Believe this so much! Only you can make what you dream a reality. You must take that first step and just keep on going. Good Luck to All That Try to Make your dream come true. It might be Hard but keep trying. 🙂 I know I will!! <3
And I love That Photo of Donut!! She's So Adorable! Hope I can Meet Her One Day.
I’ve spent the last year working on being the better me, changing things I needed to get rid of and improving overall. I thought I was making amazing progress, because I’m happier in the last few months than I’ve ever been before. Yet I still don’t know what I really want or need, or where I’m going from where I am now. Its a work in progress, but I’m okay with that because I think that there should always be some sort of motion toward further improvement.
I’m lonely because I walked away from toxic friendships, bored because I’ve lost touch of old hobbies and social circles and don’t want to fall back on negative habits. I’m happy, though. I have adorable puppies, a house, a car, a job, and I’m making new friends. I’m back in school and working toward a future that doesn’t involve fast food. All wonderful things.
I need time to identify what my dreams and hopes are now, in light of changes, but I don’t think I need to know those things today as long as I’m still working on it. Someday I’ll be a builder, I just need some help getting to that point.
To be the boss, or work for one… :). Thank you Donut for the Christmas wishes, I wish her a Merry Christmas too and like her bow, she’s a popular girl!
I think you would be the greatest daddy on Earth Sean, self-discipline and hard work are keys to succes, but we gotta have a dream that drives us.
P.S. I wrote another poem about you, but since I’ve never not once got a comment from you, I sent it to a publisher. :).
I agree. I am a big-time dreamer, but I have both going on. Some are driven, some aren’t. It is in my sign to be a dreamer.
Merry Christmas to both you and Donut. Love your dog, I have a snowshoe Siamese cat, his name is Duncan Donut, what’s so cool is his birthday is st. patricks day 🙂
Thank you and Merry Christmas:)
I have so many dreams and wishes, some contradict each other and some cannot ever be fulfilled. Sometimes I get so tired of not seeing them come true that I take my time before going to sleep to work with my imagination. The only thing that scares me more than not being able to pursue my dreams is not having any dreams at all. That’s why I wish for you all to fulfill your dreams little by little, but always have something more to drive you.
Ive been trying to pursue acting, and had just seen it as a dream, a pretty little painted picture covered with lies, but now ive been castes in a movie& I have been so happy its everything ive wanted and it so much fun. Ive made my dream a reality and I cant wait until im where I want to be.
Reading this post gave me the faith I was looking for, and the strength to keep going strong I just needed some helpful words to keep my head up.
As usual your words inspire me and create a spark in my brain from something new and humble I have learned for the day. Thank you kind sir. 🙂
For the first time in my life I’m fighting for my dreams and to prove to myself that I can reach them. I’m working hard to make them happen and it scares me to death. I can’t imagine what my life will be like if I achieve my dreams. I’m terrified of failing. I mean, what will I have then? But! Your words inspire me and I know that my dreams are worth fighting for no matter what happens.
If it weren’t for my dreams, I wouldn’t be alive today, that’s a fact! I made my dreams come true before, so I know I can do it again, I have to!
So, my dream. Right. Which time in my life? I’ve had so many dreams from my pre-teens, my teens, my 20’s, my 30’s, and now my 40’s. I wanted to be a cop, a veterinarian, an animal control officer, an actor, all these dreams fell apart for one reason or another. But now I guess the one I really want to have come true is to be a published author, making money doing something I love to do…write. This one dream will put the other dreams in their place, like owning a nice car, having a home where my children are safe and loved, and waking up every day to the realization that my family is where they belong…home. Just this one dream could make all the others possible.
I read this post when you first posted it and it inspired me, but with pilot season in full swing and my anxiety kicking in it really hit me. I had the dream of getting into the union and landing an agent, both of which I have achieved but I really and truly was not aware of the realities. Many times people would say to me ” Oh man, I cannot believe you are doing acting, it is really tough.” I would just smile and shrug, thinking it was a breeze. However, I have had very little auditions and have been so hungry for some and for booking projects and have become aware of the realities of the business. It is tough and strenuous but at the same time a blessing. Without the obstacles, I would not be able to appreciate it and have a huge amount of joy when achieving goals. So everytime I feel discouraged, I just remind myself that dreams can come true, it just takes dedication and timing and that patience must come with the honest realities of dreams and life. Your blogs always inspire and remind me to keep going and I thank you for that. Hopefully one day we work on a project!
Even though I’m still playing catch-up and am just now reading this, months after it was posted, it still hit the sweet spot.
I have multiple dreams of varying degrees, as I feel all people should have. But my main dream is to put my degrees to use and find a job as an archaeologist. The reality of that dream was like sand in the eyes. The job market is a tough one right now. The reality is that there are hundreds of qualified people vying for one job. Naturally, I began to feel discouraged. But instead of sitting around and moping about it, I took the next avenue. I volunteer at a museum and I’ve done research on my own time. Now I’m at that point where it’s a waiting game. Will I get good news and get hired on an archaeology team for the summer? Will I get the news that I’ve gotten into a doctorate program so I can be one step closer to fulfilling my long term goal of teaching at the university level? Of course I still have days where I really question whether or not I should continue my pursuit of that ever elusive dream. My solution to that is to allow myself to feel down about it for that one day. But the next day, I pick myself and I keep charging forward. Today happened to be one of those “Oh my God, what am I doing? This isn’t working!” So Sean, your words were a great pick-me-up that gave me that proverbial kick I needed in order to keep pushing for that dream. Thank you for that.
Hi Sean,
I needed to read this blog again..as I do with many of your blogs. I love..No one can ever affect your life like you can & dreams 🙂
Thanks,
Kellie xo
I have been reading through your blog and absolutely love them! You are so inspirational…..everything I learn about you just makes me love you more 🙂 what if my dream is to give you a hug and kiss but when I met you my tongue wouldn’t untie to ask for more than a picture? I’ve always been shy…..any advice on how to become more outgoing? I would love to get my artwork out there but I feel no one believes in me enough to do it. Thank you for being such a wonderful human being and for being there for your fans ! We love you ♥ don’t ever change!
I agree with this blog very much. As of now, my dream is to go to college for anthropology at Uof Tenn. Gonna cost out the butt, but I’m determined. Gotta long wait full of anxiety over this.
Again, I love your blogs. This one’s great.
Keep it shining and God bless you too, Sean!
A dreamer, is what I will always be. 🙂
I could quote the whole John Lennon song Imagine, but I’m sure you know it.
What would you say to those who are stuck in a rut on making a dream come true?
That’s where I am at right now with wanting my novels to be publish.
I don’t know if you’d ever see this and respond, since you have so many fans, but if you ever do, it’s much appreciated to know your opinion. 🙂
Everyone who ever had a dream was at one time stuck in that same rut. That rut has a history of some very successful people, and also some failures… that let that rut ruin them.
Thank you for the encouragement. I love reading your blogs. They are inspirational for someone who is as young as I am.
I’m making this printer friendly and taping it to my mirror, and will read it when I feel like giving up. Thank you so much for writing this Sean! ♥
I was nodding so much reading this that my neck became sore. You even grabbed one of my main mantras in life: “No one can ever affect your life like you can !”
AMEN dear Sean 🙂
Another of my (many) mantras, or rues by which I define myself, inspirations for my self, whatever you want to call them is: if you can dream it, you can do it!
I have always been a daydreamer. Dreaming about what I would like to do when I grew up or how I would wish things were different etc…
The defining moment for ME was when I realized that YES dreams are important, and some dreams are meant to be just that – a way of relaxing your mind and enjoy a bit of excapism, but it is when you take your dreams and try to make them reality, that you truly STOP EXSISTING AND START LIVING <3 It is sooooooooooooo amazing for me to come across another human being (you) who is so totally in sync with my own train of thoughts Sean. Often people look at me when I try to explain what is going on in my head with this quite bewildered expression, because they can't really keep up with my dreams or thoughts or desires – you see, when I imagine things that I would like to happen, I don't "just" think about ONE thing, I'm all over the place, going off in so many different directions at one time, that most people are left breathless and I have often been asked how on Earth I keep track of myself, but cut to the core it is all rootet in a desire to grow, explore life, meet kindred spirits, and to fulfill my dreams as I go. Hugs to you from Vibs, Denmark
Oh…just remembered while doing the dishes (such a tedious, yet necessessairy chore – that my thoughts automatically wander off) that there is actually much inspiration to be found in music! I’m not speaking about the songs that solely speak about “I love you, I want you, I need you” even though those types of songs are nice to listen to and relax your mind to, but I’m talking about the songs you hear at some point in your life and suddenly you just GET their message, and you can just FEEL how everything inside of your head goes click-click-click when the lyrics really sink in.
I daydream a lot while listening to music, both as a way of clearing my mind, but also because it helps me not to wander off in too many directions and stay focussed on what is is that I want, and find solutions to the obstacles I encounter on my way. Now…the song I began humming while doing my dishes tonight is -superficially seen, just another light-hearted popsong from Whitney Houston, but it actually has a message…a message that is so important to me, since it has to do with empowering others from the very beginnig and about loving the most important person you’ll ever meet in your entire life: YOU! I don’t know if this blog allows others to uploade URLs so instead I’ve copied the text, here goes:
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody’s searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs
A lonely place to be
And so I learned to depend on me
[Chorus:]
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I’ll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can’t take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be
[Chorus]
And if, by chance, that special place
That you’ve been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love
Love
Vibs from Denmark
This blog is so very true! Words I so needed to hear, it is so nice to know that people like you still exist and really care about their fellow people. Thank you so much for your wise words!
Hey Sean. Gotta question. What if ur dream, that u worked SO hard to commit to came to a screeching halt because of monetary issues? You know that old saying, “it takes money to make money”? That’s the current position I now find myself in. My sister and I are DAMN good artists. We had an AWESOME thing going til our father got sick. We had to take care of him til the day he died. And because of what we had to pay out, our business had to be put off. Now we can’t seem to get back to a place where we can afford our materials and start up again. So what if u have a dream but can’t AFFORD to make ur dream a reality? I have been so hurt by it all. And we so far behind, I don’t know where to begin.
“When the Student is ready, the Teacher will appear.”
Y’all taking notes? Mr. Flannery is here PREACHING!
Sir:
These breadcrumbs are nourishing. Please continue your healthy servings of word-soul-food for the masses; because, I, for one, am now looking forward to the next course. Blessings, kudos and bravo to you. You are surely victorious.
Deuces.
The most beautiful thing in the world is a dream realized. I actually wrote a poem about this not to long ago. But the most painful and devestating thing is a dream destroyed. I’ve been living that particular hell for some time now. I wake up every morning grasping at straws that can barely support their own weight. But the trick is to keep fighting. Keep believing in that dream. I also believe that while you stuggle with the one big dream it is important to have dozens of smaller dreams. Dreams that you can obtain now or in the near future. It’s the small things that keep you moving forward towards the big finale. Sean I do have you to thank for obtaining a small part of one of my smaller dreams. It keeps me going through my fight to have the big dream come true. It will happen, I know it will. All in good time.
God bless.
… and previous was read as well, then deleted.
I noticed and thank you.
So I spend a lot of time thinking about things, books and articles I’ve read, movies I’ve seen, my family and life. I’ve been thinking about this particular post a lot since I first read it. It resonated with me. My son is high function autistic. He’s sweet, loving, BRILLIANT, and has an incredible imagination. He struggles with some things though and one of them is pants with buttons. He came to me this morning asking for help (there are a lot of times that he does this just trying to get attention because he’s feeling squirrely). He told me “it’s too hard.” I told him “nothing is too hard, you can do this.” That got me thinking most of the day about everything I’d given up on over the years. Hopes and dreams that I’d put on the back burner and I never realized the burner wasn’t on. I used to write poetry ALL the time. I always had pen and paper on me; writing down notes and ideas. I used to always want to get them published. I research magazines and book publishers but never really did anything with it. I have YEARS of poems; some good, some ok, and others that i know are total crap. I think it’s time i try working on them again. Going through all my old stuff. Try to see what is good, what can be fixed to make better, and which ones just need to get thrown out. I also need to start taking the time to write new poems. My boss publishes his own book and told me where he goes to do it. It’s going to take some money to save up (and I have no problem doing that) and a whole lot of time to go through all my old works. But I’m ready to try. I don’t care about being successful with it; that doesn’t matter to me, what matters to me is the effort. Just simply being able to say that I tried. Win, lose, or draw I will still be able to say that I tried and didn’t give up on my dream (at least one of them). Everything else will come in time, my other dreams I’ll keep working on but they’re more long term (and are a hell of a lot more nerve racking) but they will happen, with patients, and things are stating to look… well not necessarily up, but at the very least, a little less bleak.
Sean, this has been my favorite entry of yours. It’s so good to dream.The reason why I can relate to your writing, is that you have an extremely open and positive mind. That is a breath of fresh air. It takes a lot of patience and consistency to achieve these desires. But that also means, a lot of backlash along the way, unfortunately by other people, sometimes even those that you would have considered to be your friends. Two years ago I chased my dream. After quite some years of preparation, I was ready to make a big move. It changed my daily life, but most importantly, it changed my views in life. Maybe I will share my story sometime. Until then… always dreaming!
I can’t believe it’s taken this long to start doing anything to work towards my dreams! I think this entry is a great one! I think they are all great because they are so straight forward and there’s something in each one that can be describing something going on in my life. I’m so happy that I followed you & started reading your blogs. You are such a caring man with such a positive attitude that you make me wanna strive to make my life better.
Mr Flanery,
I’m hoping that you’ll read this, though if you don’t it’s okay. Well I have this problem I guess you could say… See I applied for this big college but I may not have the funds to pay for it this semester so my family thinks I should apply for the smaller college! And I want to do that but I really want to go to the big college! I’m a very logical person and I will end up going to the smaller college! I guess what I’m trying to come across is that I’m scared I’m leaving my state for another on my own and I’m scared ! I’m panicking and thinking about all the thing of like what if I don’t make it or what if I can’t handle being on my own I’m about to be 23 and I feel like I’m ganna let someone down so I’m trying to choose the right thing I feel very lost ! All my life I have been bullied by my peers , hated by my so called family and have been pressured to make good grades so that I can have a better life! I’m really scared! ButI don’t want to let go of my dream I want to keep fighting for it! What do you say to someone like this – Dovie
P.S. If your curious my dream is to be an archeologist! I have always what yes to be that since I was a little girl !
I say go get it… SPECIALLY if it scares you! Easy is for the bottom rung… scary is for the “hitters”.
My life Is just pain and sadness.i repeat your words Sean:”nobody can destroy me,only myself”
… And i try to be strong,to stay in the Light.Please Sean,tell me some Kinds words,i need.good blog
God bless.
Hi sean,i’m really down.i’ve nothing to eat , no money.my stomach is empty since 2 days.nobody for help me…Please be my Light
Please call your immediate friends and family ASAP.
Where are you located? Maybe we have someone in the area.
Hey….I am around the Tulsa area, if they get back to you and are here, as well. I will surely take them some viddles.
I’m in Tulsa as well, and moving out of state on Sunday so there’s some perishable food I’d love to pass on to where its needed.
Thank you laura,but i’am in germany.that Good to see People like you,try to help…because nobody around me want.
You’re welcome. I know plenty of people are sending you all the good vibes possible. You deserve every happiness; remember that, seek that and those thoughts will help. Stay positive, plant good seeds with your thoughts. When your thought turns negative, replace it with something else that is beneficial. We don’t plant apple seeds and grow orange trees; same principle applies. I’m living proof that this simple, yet profound, practice works. Try it…it can’t hurt!