Funny how sometimes you don't even realize that you need a little inspiration until after you get it. Sports and athleticism is everything that dreams are made of. Hard work, determination, challenge, pain, fear, victory and defeat. This video made my eyes tear up and a sticky lump form in my throat. I can't even pin point exactly why. I do know that it has nothing to do with my crushed dreams of becoming an Olympic gymnast. As much as I loved and still love gymnastics I wasn't really that great at it.
I might sound like a pessimist saying this but sometimes it's so annoying to constantly hear that if you work hard enough you can be anything that you want to be and do anything that you want to do. The people you hear saying it are usually the ones that found that pot at the end of the rainbow. It feels all nice and fuzzy to say it but the reality is that no matter how hard you try not all dreams come true. I hate to be a Debbie downer but that's the truth of the matter. There is absolutely no guarantee etched in stone somewhere that dreams come true. It is true that it's possible to dream big and accomplish something even bigger but hard work and dreaming it doesn't always make it so. That's no reason to quit or give up though, and I think you should believe wholeheartedly that it can come true. Don't stop dreaming. Don't stop believing. You kind of have to in order to keep reaching for it but in the end the only thing you can control is whether or not you really and truly did your best and tried your hardest.
Reality TV has gotten so trashy along the way but that's not how it started. In the beginning most of them seemed to be centered around dream chasing and that's what attracted me to it the most. The Real World started out with seven strangers with stars in their eyes off to New York City. A lot of people know Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars. She was on
American Juniors 10 years ago. I watched every single episode. And this was before DVR. I don't watch the show but when I saw that she was on it, I thought to myself. Wow. She made it. I cried like a baby when Kelly Clarkson won American Idol and season after season tears fall down my face when I watch the winner of America's Next Top Model announced. I even watched a few episodes of
Food Court Wars and I can't wait to start watching the first episode of
Chasing Nashville. Against all odds. Despite the day to day challenges of life. It's such a beautiful and inspirational thing to see people realize their dreams. I really can't get enough of it.
My emotional response to this video is without completed fill in the blank answers but at the same time very telling. True, I cry when fictional characters die in movies and when people win reality TV shows. And I'm a sucker for beautiful Gymnastics but it was more then that. It stirred up something else inside of me. I may not know what's behind it but I can only hope that some day I will figure it out.
Listen to the words. What do they say to you?
.png)
I just watched this twice. Wow, is all I have to say. Thanks for sharing, CeCe. I'll be sharing it on my blog as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is great. Do you happen to know the narrator?
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post! I also love almost all the shows you mentioned. And your post title struck a bad, bad chord with me.. because all day I've been pondering buying an iphone 5 and I feel like your post was a sign. LOL. Totally not your intentions whatsoever, I know ;)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't watch the video in my office, but I completely agree with what you said about having a dream not being enough; making that dream come true is the result of hard work and dedication. Sometimes I think that there is an entire generation (god that makes me sound old) who have been raised to believe that if you dream it, it will come true. They're in for a rude awakening when they discover that just having a dream isn't enough.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely watch Chasing Nashville. I tend to get sort of emotional, when people win huge competitions like ANTM or American Idol. Their dream just came true, and who knows what is next for them? Just look at Carrie Underwood.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that no matter how hard one works their dreams might not come true. That's probably for most people, depending on their dream. It's a sad reality. Being talented and dedication isn't enough. I also think luck and knowing the right people and having the right opportunities coming along is a huge part in it as well.
I love this because I was speaking to my nephew last night about chasing his dream of becoming a filmmaker and making it happen...it's never too late! I have that sign up in my office and love reading it!! Thanks for being so candid!
ReplyDeleteI love this! And you're right, working hard is no guarantee that we will be able to achieve our dreams, but our chances are so much higher than if we chose to not try at all!
ReplyDeleteI watched and shared this video yesterday. IN LOVE. and man, do I miss gym, I teared up during the video.
ReplyDeleteAmazing video.
ReplyDeleteI think it's so hard to be in such a competitive sport and practice and devote your life to it and then not succeed in it. Which, unfortunately, is the rule and not the exception in something like gymnastics or swimming or tennis. But I think it's that much more amazing that people still try to achieve their dreams, against the odds.
Wow! That video was incredible.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your post I felt like I could have written it. It's so true! You only get it if you work hard. But there are many who have worked hard and still can't get a break. But I guess if you don't try at all you have no chance to make it.
Great post and message Cece!
I think the saying "You can do anything you put your mind to" is what people should say instead be who you want to be, yadda yadda yadda. You are absolutely right that dreams don't just come true; you have to WORK for them like those gymnasts. What a great inspirational video!
ReplyDeleteI loved your post. I tell my seven-year-old this. He can grow up to be the vet that he wants to be but he has to work for it. Awesome video!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! I have been needing it lately. I tend to discount myself alot and talk myself out of things for some reason. Very inspirational sweet girl!
ReplyDelete