Following your Dreams

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or does it explode?
                                                                                                                                        -Langston Hughes

Triathlon has taught me how to follow my dreams. It has changed how I view life and has made me believe that anything is  possible. Six months ago, I believed that I was going to go to college, study a regular college degree preparing me for the office, and finally end up working 9-5 like everyone else. However, I had a successful Ironman race that made me believe I could do what I wanted in life. Life is now seen from a different perspective. Following your dreams is contagious and as soon as one dream is accomplished (finishing an Ironman) your other suppressed dreams come into mind (becoming a Pro triathlete). I realized that following my dreams is the most rewarding thing that I can do for myself. It is fun, Teaches me about my self, and builds character.  I do everything I can to follow my dreams and this for me means that I am 99% likely to transfer back to the University of Colorado Boulder next year. In addition hiring an expensive but fantastic coach, Siri Lindley, was a no brainer for me.  I have also created a website, reached out to sponsors, and told my friends and family I want to go pro! I am committed to following my dreams and doing whatever it takes so long as it is morally right to reach my dreams.

The truth is that all of us have dreams that should be followed. A dream can be infinitely small, yet it is a part of your soul begging you to feed it. The most courageous thing one can do is follow their dreams. We live our lives feeling that we are inadequate and fearing failure. Take the step towards being who and what you want to be, regardless of how small it is. For me, a small dream is to help people out who are in need. I often have to build up the courage to go out of my daily routine to do little things such as opening doors for people, giving people directions or giving my mom a hug. What happens to a dream when it is deferred? I believe it moves us back to a state where we no longer want to accept our dreams as real and possible. It allows the rational mind to take over and tell us that we don't actually want our dreams.

I encourage you to take the first step and do something you have dreamed of doing for a long time. Start small or big (haha) and notice how you feel after getting the courage to do it. Following your dreams is less about success than it is about committing to what you believe in. Do the things you have always wanted to do. Who's stopping you? Life pulls and it has its necessities but the world rages on, irregardless of what you do. The best way to change it is following your dreams...