"Without a vision, the people perish."
Proverbs 29:18
"He's not finding any meaning to life, and struggling with depression. He wrote me looking for some help or direction" my husband tells me of the friend who emailed him this morning.
The suns not yet up, and I just got out of bed. My husband's been up already for who-knows-how-long.
My cell phone jingles signaling that I've got a text message.
It's from my good friend who sends another name idea for the literacy project we're orchestrating.
I laugh realizing that she's thinking about it this early too. It's what got me out of bed. It's also what keeps me up until two or three a.m. at night.
We get back to discussing this friend's dilemma.
So many people live lives of 'quiet desperation' as Thoreau put it.
Trudging through the mundane, working to pay their bills, anchored by their debt, doing the same thing day after day after day, they become numb, or maybe depressed.
Why do so many of us live this way? I know I've been there - suffering, stressed and tired of it all. Or worse, feeling nothing. No passion, no joy, no enthusiasm. Just numb.
You look at the people who hop out of bed in the morning, enthused to begin the day, finding joy in it and from it, and you wonder, what makes them so gall-darn cheerful?
The people who get excited about life are the people who have a vision, a dream, a motivating factor so big that it fills their life.
They eat it, sleep it, dream it and think it until they do it.
Energy courses through their veins. They eat enthusiasm for breakfast.
Having a dream so big that it consumes your thoughts, is evident in your step, overflows into your voice and directs all your decisions keeps you so busy you don't have time to be depressed or live in 'quiet desperation.'
"Explore. Dream. Discover."
We don't share the same vision - you and I, or others on this spaceship called Earth.
I've been intoxicated by the elixir of dreams when I plan my next family travel adventure or organize a strategy for improving the world's problems. Those are my daring ventures.
Whatever your daring venture may be - starting that business, sailing the seven seas, writing that book or orchestrating that philanthropic initiative -DREAM IT, THEN DO IT!
Get a BIG DREAM and live off it. A dream so big you can't contain it.
Here are 4 reasons for planning that daring venture NOW:
1. A Reason to Get Up in the Morning
"Morning is when the wick is lit.
A flame ignited, the day delighted with heat and light,
we start the fight for something more than before."
~Jeb Dickerson
There are a thousand wonderful reasons to get up everyday - from the sun streaming in the window to the smiles of our children.
But when you have a vision SO BIG and exciting that you can't wait to hop out of bed to work on it, you know you're on to something.
2. With a WHY Big Enough, You'll Discover the HOW
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you have imagined.
As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler."
~Henry David Thoreau
Don't worry if you are clueless as to how you'll accomplish your big dream. What matters is that you know why you want to accomplish it. As you think, eat, sleep and dream your dream, you'll discover the how. Guaranteed.
The more you 'work your plan', the more your dreams and goals will become believable and achievable.
In fact the more you think about, work toward, and imagine your dreams as reality, the more options and opportunities you'll discover for making it a reality.
3. Decisions Determine Destiny
"It's in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped."
~Anthony Robbins
When you've got your big dream planned out- the one you never thought would happen - you discover that you begin making decisions differently.
Should I put the money down on the house, or buy that sailboat to pursue my daring venture?
Even the small decisions- to withhold from purchasing the movie so I can donate it to my new project - can bring about big results when repeated over time.
One choice at a time, you'll see your dream come to fruition.
4. Activate Your Subconscious
"Any thought that is passed on to the subconscious often enough
and convincingly enough is finally accepted."
~Robert Collier
Do you remember when you bought that new car, and suddenly you started seeing them all over town? It wasn't that suddenly the population was driving more of the same make and model as you, but that your subconscious was made aware that this was something to pay attention to.
When you tell yourself- "I can't make that trip a reality, there's no way it will happen," then that's what your subconscious looks for, ways that it can't happen.
But when you plan it, and work toward it as if it is going to happen (even if you don't know when or how), then your subconscious starts searching for ways to make it happen.
If you dream of breaking out of 'quiet desperation', then take action NOW by planning a venture that is bold, daring, and audacious!
Discover The Single Most Important Step for Living a Deliberate Life
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I continue to just *love* the message you share here, and find it so inspiring to read!!
…the next adventure shall be bold and audacious!!
Thanks Lance!
Awesome post! I especially like incorporating your subconscious into the mix. I’ve really been learning about this lately. It totally works!
Now…for the next adventure!
Thanks Sean!
Just listening today to Brian Tracy speak about the power of the subconscious and super-conscious mind.
I “stumbled” upon your website today, although I believe there are no accidents. We too have been planning an RV trip since my husband lost his job and our former notions of stability were shattered. We are firm believers in the Law of Attraction and have been just putting one foot in front of the other while holding our dreams clear in our vision and allowing the Universe to show us the way. Every day small “miracles” happen to bring us one step closer to our trip. It is so encouraging to see other families living the life we dream about. Please keep us in your thoughts and we will keep you in ours as well. With love, Scott and Shawna
Hi Shawna,
It has been said that ‘when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.’ That has happened to us many, many times, we’re glad we can play our part.
Our love as well- Rachel
Thank you for this post and for your website! After graduating from Stanford in June of 2010, I spent the better part of the next several months feeling really depressed with not knowing what I wanted to do next despite many opportunities. It was tough to do that, knowing plenty of other people would do anything to be afforded the same options (especially those of difficult backgrounds similar to my own). However, nothing really spoke to me and I couldn’t justify going into a career where my main purpose was to make money.
I’ve also always been the one to support my family in many ways, even from a young age. When my sister became unable to care for her children last December, I stepped up and took over (with limited assistance from my elderly and disabled parents). As much as I love being there for my family and especially love caring for children, the demands of my family can really drain me. I hardly know how to care for myself because I am so accustomed to caring for others. It took hitting rock bottom to realize that I must figure out a way to work in at least a little bit of care for myself while adhering to family obligations.
My depression became so severe that I began to feel trapped and even foolishly attempted to end my life. I knew that I wanted to see as much of the world as possible and that I wanted to have as positive of an impact as possible, but figuring out how exactly I could do this (along with a number of other stress factors) has been quite troubling for me. I allowed those worries to completely take over my life.
Through some miracle, I’ve finally pulled myself out of the fog and decided to live my dream! I still don’t know how I am going to do this with my lack of funds or a car but I have been inspired by you and I know that I will make it work! It seems like everything is in perfect order for my to begin my journey, especially with family situations finally taking a turn for the better. I’m looking into teaching and volunteer options, and considering more alternative options like hitchhiking. I refuse to let myself slip back into the fog and I thank you for inspiring me!
Kim,
Way to go! Keep pursuing those dreams, and as you move forward, doors will open and opportunities will present themselves!
i will take your advice, i always want to travel around the world, but always is the same problem: money, and i tell me myself next year, next year, i should and do it!