Forward
When you were young (for some of us, younger will suffice), did you ever lie down on the freshly cut grass of a school yard (or back yard) and watch the sky go by. Remember how blue it was? How its depth was so deep. I remember the distinctive feeling of the earth’s rotation. Then a cloud would enter in and you were sure you saw your favorite animal or relative. Remember?
Stop! Close your eyes and think about it just for a moment. It was a wonderful experience, wasn’t it? Time would simply pass away, and as it did, your mind would fill with wonderful dreams of tomorrow (now today). All the things you would someday do with your life. All the people you would touch and all the places you would someday see. Do you remember? I bet you do.
How many of those places have you seen? How many people has your life touched? Did you ever become as successful (a relative term here) as you KNEW you would? Did you ever take that great idea and follow it through to fruition?
Sadly, for most people, the answer to each of the above questions is a negative one. You simply never got to it. Life, as we have created it, gets busy as we become older. We must become responsible adults, which means working a regular job, during regular hours, and for regular pay (Here I will admit that “pay” in monetary form is not an issue for me. I am not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. It is simply that money is not of primary importance to me. “Pay” in the form of satisfaction gained from I do and how I affect people is what I seek.)
I have fit perfectly into the above category of negative answers for years. I am pleased to say I am now out of the closet. I am pursuing my dreams! I remember fondly the days and evenings staring at the sky and DREAMING about today. I have always wanted to “touch the multitudes”. I desire and anticipate my travels abroad, learning of people and places of the world. I have dreamed about being completely satisfied, no EXCITED! about what my life is doing. My dreams are not yet fulfilled. I have achieved some and am actively pursuing others. And for me, it will be a life-long pursuit.
Dreaming, and the attempt to reach those dreams, is not an irresponsible undertaking as some will have you to believe. In addressing the fulfillment of your dreams we are speaking of doing what you love to do. What you have passion for. It makes sense to do things you are passionate about. The energy you put into these things will be never ending. The level of creativity will be exponentially higher. It is possible you will make a good living while pursuing your dream. You will be far happier when you do.
We all have a passion we would love to bring to fruition during our lifetime. It is my belief we can all achieve these things. As the title of this book states, “You Know You Can, But Think You Can’t”. The “Know You Can” comes from your heart. While the “Think You Can’t” comes from the restrictions society and self have placed in your path. This is what must be overcome, and can be.
Throughout the following pages, I will attempt to guide you on a discovery of you. I say attempt, because you have the power to stop the process or continue it; not me. I will lay out the path for you to walk. And while we are talking about walking the path, get your safari gear and begin packing. I will show you the obstacles you face, how they were placed in your way and, with any luck, how to destroy them. Better bring the big guns!
Enjoy your journey. Listen to YOURSELF as you read. Take time to reflect. Most of all, search for your dreams, you know, the ones you have so neatly tucked away and buried. They are there. You can almost see them now.
Have fun!
Read Dr. Seuss’s, The Places You Will Go.
Christian Schaal
