Tourist commonly ask this question to my Mom. She simply tells them, "I came on vacation and knew this is where I wanted to live so I moved here." At this point people look at her like she just told them the world was flat. Now a further explanation is needed, so she goes on to say, "While I was in vacation a thought occurred to me. There are people who live here and go to work everyday and pay their bills just like I do back home. If they can live here why can't I?"
She is right. Often times we have dreams and desires but instead of setting goals and following through we just continue on the hamster wheel of life. Fear and hard work is what prevents people from going after their dreams. It's scary to do something new; there's the fear of the unknown. It also takes a lot of hard work. For example, when my mom moved from St. Louis to the island she had to research first, then find a job and a place to live, turn in her resignation at her current job, call family and friends and listen to their negative comments, not to mention the packing and moving. But she did it and the pay off was huge.
This is exactly what I love about the island. Many residents are not from here, but just like my mom, they decided to move here. They live here on purpose. Not only do they live here on purpose, they live their lives with purpose. Most of the locals have dreams they are actively pursuing. When you listen to their stories you find one person who is writing a book, another who wants to be a singer so he is taking singing lessons, another person who has a business idea etc.
There are hardly any chain stores or restaurants here. The businesses are as eclectic as the residents. When I look up and down the street in the commercial district I don't see a bunch of mom and pop stores, I see dreams that came true. Each business started as an idea in someone's mind. Instead of the person being afraid of failure they went after their dream. Not all businesses make it and that is ok, the point is the person set aside their fears and went after their dream.
If my Mom had not made that choice many years ago she would be bundled up and sitting in her car on I-270 in bumper to bumper traffic, on her way to a job she didn't like. How many people live day after day like this. The next time you are sitting around in traffic take a look around. 90% of the people in their cars do not want to be there. Don't be one of these people. Dream big then go after your dream. Set a goal to do something everyday that will help you achieve your goal. More importantly ask yourself: Why can't I?
No comments:
Post a Comment