Why Some Dreams Should Not Be Pursued
This editorial is in response to Mark Manson’s article of the same title. Do yourself a favor, grab some coffee, and visit Mark’s website to read his well-written and insightful essay.
“Why Some Dreams Should Not Be Pursued” struck a chord with me. Mr. Manson managed to delicately pry open the hearts of multipassionate people everywhere and take a peek inside. He was kind enough to softly break some hard news to us: the truth that some dreams should not be pursued (but deep down, we probably knew that).
Table of Contents
The reality of dreams
Manson pulls the reader in with a real-life story of passionate love, cleverly weaving in a stern lesson about following our dreams: “We are all beaten over the head that we should always follow our dreams, always pursue our passions, always turn reality into what we believe will make us happy.”
Manson reminisces about his own attachment to a dream that had a strong hold on him, only to realize that he “didn’t actually want it” …let that sink in. If you, in this instant, had a flash of reality that hurt just a little, you’re not alone.
Going one step further, Manson scoffs at society’s prevalent idea that any person can achieve what they desire, that they deserve to follow their dreams, and follow them at all costs. At this point I realized what a sense of entitlement I had felt all my life – that I should “get” to have my dream!
Sometimes… we’re the last to find out that a dream isn’t going to work out.
–Renee’s Rabbit Hole
What’s worth pursuing?
Manson doesn’t leave us hanging to our question of “How do we know what’s worth pursuing?” He offers two simple guidelines to gauge misguided enthusiasm (somebody should have given this advice to me years ago ):
- Fall in love with the process, not the result.
- What’s motivating you? Is it some compensation for an unmet need? Or is it a genuine expression of enthusiasm and joy?
The last point I found especially profound. I had never pondered to think that an unmet need was behind my unstoppable pursuit of my dreams. Manson poignantly points this out: “sometimes… we are the last to find out.”
Admittedly, this article kicked up dust in some corners of my mind, forcing me into self-examination. Everyone owes it to themselves to step back and have these hard conversations, especially people with creative minds and boundless new ideas.
How about you? Were some dots connecting as you read this? Do you have an experience to share? This is such an important topic, I would love for you to share your perspective on this below.
In the meantime, I’ll be back. I’ve got a little thinking to do…
-Renee
