McManus does a great job of distilling the Proverbs: "...without a vision the people perish" and "...hope deferred makes a heart sick..." He says:
"He seems to be telling us that we need to have a dream we are pursuing and at the same time experience enough of that dream to keep us inspired. We need both to aspire and accomplish. Without a vision for your life, without a sense of purpose, you will begin to die a slow death."
He brings up the almost equal portions necessary to live -- vision and hope. One is kind of a starting off point and the other is a sustaining part of that. I like to think of another ingredient that supports another one of those, and that's encouragement. I think encouragement is like food or fuel to/for the creative person. Encouragement is not always positive praise. Sometimes constructive criticism can be an encouragement. When we need to improve, having direction with which to do so can be a tremendous encouragement.
Another thing the author brings up in this entry is a modern day phenomenon we call "the midlife crisis." It's where someone reaches the age of about 40 and realizes that they've either given everything to reach their goals and dreams and assumes that they're not going to make them. Or maybe it's someone that has seen their dreams come true but comes to find out they are not fulfilled by them. I think another scenerio he didn't talk about is someone that gave up on their dreams and they look back during their middle age years and realize that they shouldn't have done that and they think that perhaps it is too late. Or, humorously enough for the rest of us on the outside, they pursue their goal with a blind disregard for their inability to attain it. I think of the washed-up athlete trying to make a comeback or a superstar in his own mind who can't carry a tune or sing in key.
I wonder what a list of dreams and goals would look like...?
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at October 18, 2007 02:38 PM