by: Reggie Odom
What’s in a Dream?
What’s in a dream? Shall I start large or small? Let’s go with huge. Martin Luther King proclaimed “I have a dream!” in a passionate and moving speech in 1963 to promote a peaceful movement for the Civil Rights and economic equality of African Americans. His dream changed the face of the nation. A life style change has followed that is now “in the bones” of the majority of citizens in this country. The way things were at that time in history is unimaginable to most people today, even those who lived during that time. Just as the way things are now would have seemed impossible to most people living then. It was not impossible to Martin Luther King, and those who had a similar dream or believed in his. This is one example of what’s in a dream – the power to change reality, and the lives and relations of millions.
Then, of course, there are the Wright Brothers who had a dream of people flying in a machine and were dismissed by those who could point to research proving that what they dreamed was not possible. So much for research!
Another example of an inconceivable dream coming to life is that of my client’s daughter. She has significant learning disabilities which kept her from being able to read in the fourth grade and for which she suffered greatly as a result. Yet she has something bigger than this - she has a dream. She is now 20 years old and entering her junior year of college where she is keeping her vision alive – to become a special education teacher. She has faced her fears of reading, learning and taking exams and recently passed the test that was required in order for her to continue her studies.
Impossible dreams come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, the dreams of most are considered impossibilities to others. We have all been thwarted from our dreams at one time or another by those who do not believe in dreams, who point to why things won’t work rather than asking “why not?” It’s not that they are bad people; it’s simply that their own dreams have been blocked.
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