When I was younger, I wanted to attend the University of Oxford. Travel the world. Meet interesting people. Write a novel.
That wasn't practical though. So I jumped from becoming a doctor to my three step plan into politics: lawyer, senator, president. During my "screw authority's approval/a chance at earning a living", I wanted to be a musician. Through all of this, my childhood dream was cruelly neglected.
I should also mention, I've been going through a rough patch, so to speak. My grandfather died last year, and my cousin passed away about three months later. I never knew them all to well, but this seemed to affect me nonetheless. Perhaps I felt guilty for not being closer to them, because they were in India and I could only visit sparingly.
I started having panic attacks. I was miserable, depressed, constantly contemplating suicide. It was around this time, at my lowest moments, that I happened to watch Oprah, which I normally don't do. I saw Randy Pausch, the late Carnegie Mellon professor, giving a slightly altered version of his last lecture. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and at such a grave state of the disease, only had a few months to live.
Randy Pausch spoke about fulfilling his childhood dreams. Becoming a Disney Imagineer. Winning large stuffed animals at a carnival. Defying gravity by floating in mid-air. And he most of them, in his own way.
As I watched his lecture, I began to wonder; what are MY childhood dreams? While I was (and still am) only sixteen, I lost touch with my childhood self. I remembered - I wanted to go to Oxford. Thinking of Randy Pausch, bless his soul, I applied to the Oxbridge Academic summer program at the University of Oxford.
Over time, I pulled myself out of the rut I was in. And I got to go to Oxford. I realized how accomplishing a dream in some shape or form, can change your life for the better. I became happier and more confident; I knew that I should always take a risk, regardless of how small the success rate is.
Today, my childhood dreams are my goals for the future. They're what keep me going every single day.
What are your childhood dreams? How have they shaped your future? Write back!
Regards,
Kanika
PS: Randy Pausch's Last Lecture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
Well, one of my biggest dreams as a child was to have the courage to run away from home. I think I managed that one by my choice of college... i've moved to another time zone!
In a more serious and less negative light (curse my self-esteem issues!), besides the childhood dreams I willingly gave up (such as being an astronomer, once I realized how much math is involved and how much I detest math), I wanted to be a baker. I also had an extensive and intricate make-believe game that I wanted to share with the world. I'm happy enough baking for friends, so that one's checked off the list. And as to sharing that world I imagined up when I was eight? Well, I'm writing about it. Something tells me I've managed to hold onto my dreams pretty well. ^_^
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
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Ooh, ooh, pick me, pick me!!!