So about a week ago I had a fairly heated conversation with a few guys. The basic argument was about whether anyone can get into the NFL. I was of the opinion that yes, it is possible (though for some the window of opportunity may have passed due to age; some may have to start young). Everyone else claimed that no, some people just have the inherit ability, and some don’t.
Now, I’m not going to restate all the points I made; I’m not looking to talk about that now. But the reason why I’m mentioning this conversation is because after the argument transpired, I was pretty frustrated. No, it was not because of anything in particular that was said; but I was upset because of the opposing’s viewpoint from which the argument was made.
What I mean by that is this: the conversation wasn’t an argument about the NFL in particular, but about the potential of the human being. It seemed to me that the opposing viewpoint was taking the easy way out by saying ‘No, it’s just not possible; I can’t’. Why in society should the default be “I can’t”?
I think the “I can’t” default of our society stems from two things which each complement each other. The first is the underrated capabilities of the human being. The second is the repression of dreams in our culture.
It seems that many people throw away their dreams because they just don’t think it’s possible. Now, that would be valid except for the fact that I’m not talking about dreams that defy the laws of physics. I’m talking about the dreams to be the President of the U.S.A; to play in the NFL; to climb Mount Everest. Even something as simple as running a marathon – it’s amazing how many people that I’ve talked to think that they would never be able to run a marathon. It just took a little bit of common sense arguments to convince them that it is far easier than many think!
A person growing up out of the boundaries of society is free to dream without reproach; no one will tell him/her that the dream is impossible. But in Western Civilization, society at large under appreciates the human potential and in turn, represses the human spirit. How deplorable that part of maturity is seen to include the relinquishing of childhood dreams.
It’s great to dream, but how many of those who dream take the first step towards its realization, and despite shaky ground, resist the temptation to turn back? It is better to dream and fail than never dream at all. And I’d even go so far as to say that it’s better to have never dreamt at all than to have dreamed but never tried – ignorance, some say, is bliss.
Many people don’t attempt to attain their dreams because western society looks down upon (unintended) failure. But failure is how humans learn! At times people are afraid to dream; getting a glimpse at greatness that one is already convinced is impossible to attain will just cause anguish.
And even if one does give it his/her all, and despite that, ‘fails’, it is important to note that It is not about the destination, but the journey. The most important thing is to go after one’s dream. Life has so many twists and turns – but as long as we do our best to fulfill that dreams, we can live peacefully with no regrets.
What can be observed in society is this sort of caste system; someone is born into the lower class and never attempts to get out because society frowns upon the dreamer, frowns upon the one who dares to do ‘too much’. Then we have those who attempt but do not attain the goal, and society knits their brow as if to say “what a waste”. The only real waste is of human potential due to this attitude.
Now, there are those who dream, but never attempt to fulfill the dream because they recognize the sacrifice is too great. Ok, I can buy that argument. As long as the person recognizes the possibility.
No worries, I have not forgotten talk to about an idea so fundamental to American culture, that of The American Dream. Why does it seem to be that when we picture a story of the American Dream, we often think of the immigrant? I think the answer sheds some light onto our culture. Many of these immigrants came to America with this notion of the American Dream. They traveled on ships from all over the world, sometimes taking weeks or months, holding on to this light at the end of the tunnel. Thus, upon arrival in Ellis Island, they didn’t let the “I can’t” of society tell them different. And on a different note, the immigrant pool is self-selective. The ones who immigrated were the ones who were willing to make a major sacrifice in the name of a dream – the American Dream.
What we need is a rekindling of the American spirit, of the American Dream, of Horatio Alger's novels – the American pulling him/herself up by his/her bootstraps.
Every day neuroscience is making amazing discoveries onto how the brain functions and just how powerful it is. A book came out a while ago called “The Brain that Changes Itself” – showing the plasticity of the human mind. We need to understand our amazing potential; we need the default to be “I can”.
The same way entrepreneurial spirit is vital to capitalist society, the dreamer is vital to the advancement of society as a whole. The human race capable of so much progress. Imagine the advances that would be made in science, philosophy, physics, fitness, etc. – if only we tried to fulfill our potential.
I was talking to a friend and he brought up an interesting point – from an evolutionary standpoint, we were made to take the path of least resistance. A good example I like to use is that of water (got the idea from the bit I learned about Taoism in freshman year history class) – release water and it will follow the easiest, least complicated, more often traveled path; something Robert Frost in a Road Not Taken argues strictly against. I can understand the Taoist idea, for after all, natural selection in the wilderness would most likely favor the one who can take the easy way out. But as Frost says, we must fight this inclination, and take the road less taken.
Dreams are the seeds in which hard work and determination water the plant into a blossoming fruit tree (and I say specifically a fruit tree because the fruit continually gives back to the laborer). Society (and by society here I mean the institutions who contribute to the socialization of citizens) can either help by adding nutrients to the water, or hurt by poisoning the water; it seems to be the latter is winning out – causing many to give up nurturing the plant at all.
I’ll close on a few main points:
-One of greatest crimes of humanity is to sell it short.
- If people put their mind to something, the possibilities are endless.
-As children, how much did we dream? How much did we give up as we ‘matured’ as proper citizens of western society – where dreams are just dreams and to pursue them is a waste?
-Dreams aren’t just meant to be dreamt. Dreams are a means to the greater ends of pursuing them and fulfilling them.
-The only dreams that are realized are by those who dared to fulfill them.
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