Julie --

I would say first of all that everyone has someone who is depending on them. Most people think of their kids or spouse but it is much broader than that. Especially in the context of how public a person you are. The more public the more people who are depending on you whether you know it or not.

Even in the context of a private person there are always people who are watching you, seeing what you are going to do. You carry an influence on these people and most of the time aren't even aware of it. So that's an indirect dependence but there none the less. Zig Ziglar pointed this out to me.

So dreams are important - however - I do think they need to be considered in light of the other *choices* we have made up to this point. More specifically the results of the choices we have made.

I read a story of a man who died climbing Mt. Everest. Don't remember the name of the person now. It was his passion. He left his wife and children behind. Not to count the time he spent preparing for his climb which I'm sure was not inconsiderable. The story was just talking about him and how he persued his dream. When I finished the story I thought to myself was it good that he pursued that dream? Did he really serve his wife and children by pursuing it? I don't think so.

I believe this mans goals were out of balance. He had one goal that overshadowed all the others to their detriment. That is the difficulty with goals - making them fit in the context of the entire life picture. Fitting them in with the choices we have made in the past.

I've always been intriqued by Gordon's Square One materials as they do attempt to keep all of this in perspective. Gordon is also aware of some of my background in respect to this from conversations we've had in the past.

Let's now put this in perspective. I have a recent arrival at the house - a beautiful 3 month old girl. Would I responsible to have the dream of climing Mt. Everest and putting everything into that dream at this point in time? Absolutely not. Could I take that dream and work with it turning it into something that still fulfills me but remains responsible to my family - absolutely. And who knows what new things will come out of that kind of thinking?

My summary - you can have dreams - but they have to be in context.

-- Dan Butler

> Hello Everyone!

> I had an intriguing conversation this
> weekend, one which gave me pause...it has
> been reverberating in my mind ever since, so
> I thought I would bring it into this place
> to discuss further. I figured there is a
> reason for its haunting me, continuing to
> rattle around in my brain like Marley's
> Ghost on Christmas Eve!

> I was sharing dinner with a person who has
> been significant in my life, and the topic
> of having, living and being accountable to
> our dreams for our futures. You know, those
> personal visions that pull us forward,
> awakening us to possibilities and
> opportunities we would never have known
> otherwise.

> My dinner partner stated, point blank,
> "If you have people who you are
> depending on you, you can't have dreams. You
> just have to live."

> And my response was, "It is precisely
> FOR those people that you MUST continue to
> dream. If your ability to dream dies, what
> do you teach those you love?"

> As I said, it sparked further dialogue
> between us, with me looking at this person
> quizically, wondering, "Have we EVER
> known each other?!"

> Why do you continue dreaming?

> What do your dreams fuel for you?

> Where would you be without your dreams,
> visions, plans or possibilities for a more
> vibrant, fulfilling future?

> Answer any or all.....I really would enjoy
> hearing your responses....I can tell this
> conversation is going to be a memorable one
> for me. Perhaps it will be for you, as well.

> With Purpose and Passion,

> JULIE