I’ve met a few dream stealers in my life. The well-meaning friends and family who encourage you not to bother trying. They come in all shapes and sizes from a position of concern, fear, jealously or even their own lack of self-worth. How many talented individuals in the arts and business may never reach their potential all because someone somewhere stole their dreams?
“Dreams are not to be believed,” said her father. “They are loco fumes from inside the head, eh? Craziness” is quote from a children book rightly titled The Dream Stealer by Author Sid Fleischman. Have you heard this before?
Who are your dream stealers?
There is a bandit who comes in the night. He does not want pretty silver earrings or dangly gold necklaces, not diamonds or rubies.
What does he want?
Listen, I will tell you.
He wants dreams.
He is supposed to take only nightmares—the dreams of monsters and phantoms—but he’s grown scared. He’s been taking the good dreams instead.
But one night he steals from the wrong girl.
Susana is clever. She is wily. She is brave.
And she wants her dream back.
I think you meet dream stealers through out your life. When I was in school I loved to read and write. My favourite subjects were Art and Ancient History. I would pen poetry, write stories, and dream of being an artist and author. In my first year of high school where I was awarded one of the top grades for English was soon short lived, as another teacher would constantly refute my writing as grammatically incorrect, with unfinished sentences and assignments returned with red pen scribbled through it. Four years later I received my first Fail for a poetry assignment and I barely passed the grade. Although as I laughed and pursued a science career, I would often cite that my only A grade was in Art b
ut as other dream stealers would say, “There are no jobs in Art unless you want to be a Teacher.” My writing further foundered and during my Honours year my supervisor also returned a draft paper with so many request for changes that my confidence sank pretty low for a very long time.
My current dreams are to work for myself doing something creative, be financially independent, and travel with my family. I love to hear of other people’s dreams but too often people guard them from risk that I too am a dream stealer. But like Susana, I am clever, wily and brave.
Here are some ways to keep yourself from getting robbed again:
- Identify your dream and write it down. Vision Boards help. Trust Me.
- Only share your dreams with positive like minded people. Dreams get stolen because you share with the wrong people.
- Share your successes but not your failures. By sharing a failure with a dream stealer will only validate their opinion of what you are doing.
- Never give up. Have that unshakeable belief and inner feeling of grasping that dream.
- Find mentors who understand what you are trying to achieve. No use getting advice on how to grow a business from someone who has never tried.
- And encourage others to follow their dreams. The most rewarding and empowering gift is to be a dream builder. Something I hope to inspire in my children.
What are your dreams?
Oh I can so relate to this post. I love your tips for protecting your dreams. I believe that surrounding your self with like-minded supportive people is so important. Reading this I am reminded of my determination to stay on my creative track. Thank you.
Very well put, I had never really thought about it like that before but it’s so true and I have met many dream stealers in my life-time, although luckily I am quite stubborn and when someone tells me I can’t or shouldn’t do something it usually makes me more determined to do it! On reflection I believe I am also guilty of pouring cold water on other’s dreams when they express them, usually out of what I believe is common sense caution but actually what do I know? People can achieve extraordinary things if they want it enough.
Thanks for sharing, I love the design of your blog too xx
[...] their passion for other people's ideas of what they should or shouldn't do? I read a post about 'dream stealers' on the lovely blog 'The Last Degree' a few weeks ago and it really hits the nail on the head, all [...]
I believe in dreams =) I believe your dreams will come true because you are someone who takes action towards your dreams =) You may want to consider coming up with your own product to sell, and I think you are capable of writing a beautiful book that can change many people’s lives. If you need help, check out the website link I include in this comment. It will bring you closer to your dreams, I’m sure =) Well, it’s up to you.
I enjoy reading what you write, and I think you can use the content you’ve written so far, mash them up with a theme or topic you really want to share with the whole world and produce an international best seller! Think about this, ya =)
Cheers!
Indeed. I love this article. It’s sad however that I noticed a lot of people are actually talented in something yet because of some factors they never get to chase their dreams.
For example my friend who would like to be a rapper (he loves rap a lot). However he noticed that there is no “platform” for him to even start with. He comes from a conservative family and also a very conservative community.
We get to know in college. Eventhough I’m not a huge fan of rap (I do listen to few INTELLIGENT rappers, like Tupac, Immortal Technique and Brainpower) I’d really like to see him get to chase his dream. So I encouraged him in several ways… Nevertheless, I would never steal his dream. He’s a kind guy who had low self-confidence. A confidence that he lacks until he get to know hip-hop. That’s where he start to build his character, according to his say.
And now I have found some new, good ways to make that come true (hopefully).
Well, for my dream too but I’m not sharing that one. Because then this would be a very long rant.
Thanks for writing this article!
Great Article! I couldn’t agree more. I absolutely agree that telling dream stealers your dream is a bad idea, they will only bring you down… and dont give up!!!!