Dreams…The Vessel of Hope

Looking back on my childhood I remember the dreams that filled my head at all times. Growing up I always dreamed of reaching greater heights. Like many children I had the usual idols. Athletes, Astronauts, movie stars and a bit later musicians came into play. Not even really knowing at the time why I worshipped those figures. Money, fame, women and prestige were not an issue at that point of my life.

The various stages of my life were consumed with the emulation of those I idolized. I was not the only one as all of us had someone we wanted to be like and we all had a list of reasons we thought meant everything. We postured and quoted these people as if they could do no wrong. Our appearance was directly tied to the one we choose.

But dreams are not limited to childhood. They are a constant in an ever changing life filled with new challenges and new expectations. Without dreams we cease to exist in essence. We no longer have any desire to better ourselves or our situation, therefore depleting all growth. Be it physical or mental.

Many factors exists that can rob us of our dreams if we let them. At times we feel that all are against us and the walls are caving in. That state of mind opens up an entire set of undesirable options that many of us have experienced.

We may withdraw from society or become angry with the world. Some turn to drugs and alcohol to find an answer. I have personal experience with the latter response and I can assure you it is not the answer. With every drink, or every line or pill you find your very soul melting like the ice in the bottom of your glass. You mind constantly races to justify what you know is just plain wrong. You kill yourself in a slow direct fashion. Your dreams and hopes fade along with whatever you may have at that point in your life. If you come out alive you have nothing to show.

It is then you will learn what life really means. Your true friends are still there. You look to them and your family to forgive you of your past discrepancies. They seem to understand but the guilt remains. You wish you could have another shot.

If you came out of the gig alive then God is giving you another shot. He did me. I am using that shot to reach out to others of like mind and try to offer anything I can. When I awoke in the hospital after having a cocaine induced heart attack I asked for one more chance. He gave me that chance and I intend to use it wisely.