Thursday, June 5, 2008

Pipe Dream

Websters dictionary defines pipe dream as follows:
Main Entry: pipe dream
Function: noun
Etymology: from the fantasies brought about by the smoking of opium
Date: 1896
: an illusory or fantastic plan, hope, or story

Oh, yes, pipe dreams. We all have them. There are the standard run of the mill ones that start out as pipe dreams, you know the things that "would be nice" but we aren't really expecting them to happen. Like winning the lottery, we think about it, we plan out what we would do with all that money, but most of us don't really expect to win.
But then there are things in our life that don't start out as pipe dreams, they start out as beautiful, palpable plans or ideas for our future. These things only turn into pipe dreams after we wake up day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, and they are never realized. Sadly, these are the dreams that are hard to walk away from. You want to hold on just a little while longer because you believe in your heart of hearts that it will happen, but every time you feel like you may be close another piece of the puzzle is revealed to you, and you realize you still have so far to go. And then you start asking yourself "how long is too long?" We can't always control every situation in our life, all we can do is control how we handle the situation. Sometimes there are no easy answers, you just have to do what feels right at the time and then never look back. No regret.
Reality sucks, but sometimes it is necessary.

12 comments:

Lady R (Di) said...

I know reality can suck a big one sometimes. I feel like, the day I quit dreaming, is the day I die. I like to think that it's never too late to make things happen. We may evolve to where, one dream may not be as important to us anymore, but something else may have replaced it. We need something to look forward to in life, or we'll think we're done. And I don't know about you, but I'm far from done!

You got me thinking girl, and sometimes that's scary!

Dean "D-Day" said...

Whoa!!...There's some heavy thinking going on here.
Unfortunately, there are too many of us that know what you're talking about. Broken dreams, life mistakes and regrets: All the shitty parts of life. But most of the time, dreams are just that. Dreams! Learn from them. Adjust them to more realistic expectations. For example, if you wanted to be a rock star and didn't make it like most people. So what! Be happy that you get to perform in local clubs. Most of us don't even get to do that. Most broken dreams and disappointments should serve to help us appreciate what we do have.
I know, easier said than done. (I need to take my own advice sometimes.) Just roll with it and do your best. We're all here for you if you need us.
xo

Mimi said...

I always feel you have to have a drive or dream for something, to keep going, keep doing. When I lose that, I know I'm in trouble. Sometimes wandering for things to strive for keeps me rockin'.

I don't want any regrets.

iNinja said...

Giving up riding was the thing to do when the mortgage and the baby became more important. I waited 15 years to get back on the road...it was worth it.

B.B. said...

Don't worry all, I will always have dreams and hopes. :) It's just sometimes we need to evaluate where we are, and if our dream is interfering with reality, we need to wake up.

Dean- thank you very much. I do realize I have a lot of blessings, and I try to remember to count them every day. BTW- I finally read your article in The Horse. It was very well written, and I really enjoyed it.

Ann said...

Reality does suck, but I think everyone needs to hold on to their dream. It doesn't matter how long...as long as you're not obsessing.

I have been holding on to my dream for many years now...and it's practical, but it's taking a LONG time. Yet, I refuse to let it go...it's my dream!

Don't let reality get the best of you, B.B.! No regrets, ever!

"Joker" said...

Suck a big one? Lady R...such language! I'm appalled.

Bec - remember what Andy said to Red in The Shawshank Redemption, hope was the one thing they (the guards/warden) couldn't take away from you in prison. I equate hope with dreams and if you do, remember that nobody can take them from you, and they are what you make them.

Oh, and if you're one of the 3 people who hasn't seen that movie, you really missed a great one. I put it in my Top 10 of all time.

Ronman said...

B.B.

Don't ever give up on your dreams. I did that a couple years back and it was deplorable. I finally realized that I needed to rekindle some dreams that I'd let go. For instance I've tried several times to have a blog that people would want to read. After many failures I seem to have found it thanks to all of you who read it.

As Spydie always says "keep hope alive brah".

Ronman

B.B. said...

Just want to thank you all my friends for the encouragement. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was giving up on everything, including all hope. It's just there are some dreams that may never happen, and I guess you just have to decide if you can live with yourself if you wait and it never happens, or if you can live with giving up and always wondering. Sorry to be so deep...I've been lost in my head for a few weeks. :)

Joker- I love that movie! Maybe I will watch it for a little inspiration.

Ronman- I'm glad you didn't give up on your blog. I enjoy reading your posts, and the pictures are always amazing.

Dean "D-Day" said...

Thanks for the compliment on the article. Hoping there will be more in the future.

Red Jeep Club said...

"What's your Dream? Everyone that comes to Hollywood has a dream!, What's your Dream?" This is a quote from the crazy guy walking along the street at the beginning and end of the movie Pretty Woman. I think this a great line and remember it often.

You gotta have dreams, and ya gotta strive for them. I have a dream and had a plan and a lot of fire to build a Custom Chopper, the plans are delayed, but the dream is not. One day I will ride Bike I built, It just won't be as soon as I had hoped.

B.B. said...

chopper- I love that movie, and that line. Yes, we all do need dreams, we also need a little dose of reality every once in a while.
I checked out your blog. Have you lived in Sandy for a long time? I grew up not far from there at all.