There’s a great movie, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”. Ben Stiller stars in it and he plays a character that has essentially fallen into living a life of mediocrity, void of excitement (I can’t think of anyone who has done this [everyone]).
I love this movie because through traveling and doing things that stretch who he is, Walter starts to find that life is in fact what you make it. Crazy thought huh? That life isn’t just circumstance. My friend has a quote on his Instagram page, @marquiscooper9, about people spending the week anticipating the weekend to escape reality while other people spend the week creating their reality. It’s funny because in the movie, Walter has this awesome talent to skateboard and does all these crazy tricks in front of his crush’s son. He does stuff on a board that you wouldn’t expect from someone that goes into the office everyday with the same button down and tie.
You don’t expect it because Walter, like many of us, has disregarded his gifts and left them to collect dust on a shelf. All for the sake of security. I’ve traded in my passions and things that give my life breath and meaning in order to have full-time benefits. That thought turns my stomach. Literally. I can’t imagine putting a cap on my gifts and dreams just so that I have a nice 401(k), which is actually a terrible plan for your financial future anyway. Life really is a stage.
We only have one go, so far as we know, which means that this is not a dress rehearsal. This is in fact the big show. Every day of our lives is opening night. I’ve written before that comfort kills. My heart breaks for people that take the word, dream, so lightly. And comfort kills dreams. Because it is seeped so far into the fabric of our culture to have a good job, good benefits, and good pay that we are completely missing out on great. I refuse to miss out on great. A great life. Great love. Great experiences. Great people. Great dreams. I will not miss out on great.
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