Thursday, April 4, 2013

D is for Dreams, Desires and Determination

Today I bring you the interconnected wonderfulness of a triple bill. For you must first start with a dream. Then you must desire the dream. Finally, you must fine the determination to achieve that which you desire. Sounds simple, doesn't it?

We all have dreams - Jesse Owens


Of course, I've said it a couple of times already. It's not easy - at least not for me. I have dreams of course and I desire those dreams, but it's not always the burning desire I need to bring forth the necessary determination to succeed. In fact, that is one of the many things I find that I would like to change about myself. I often lack the fiery determination necessary to really accomplish my goals.

So let's examine the dream-desire-determination paradigm so that maybe I can find a way to develop the drive (yay another D word!) that I so envy in others.

The words "dream" and "desire" are often used interchangably - and there's nothing wrong with that. They both mean pretty much the same thing, but for the purposes of self-improvement they are not. The dream is the thing you want, the desire is the catalyst to bring about a determination to succeed in achieving the dream. Or if we're going to use the metaphor of an acutal fire - the dream is the piled wood, the desire is the spark that starts the fire and the determination is the heat of that flame. Does that make sense?

How about an example?

One of the dreams I made a desire and am now determined to see through has to do with my physical health. I once only dreamed of being healthy and would often make an attempt at living a healthier lifestyle, but I would always fail. Although I desperately wanted to be healthy I lacked the desire. I didn't crave it the same way I craved the instant gratification of food. One day, I stepped on the scale and something made a connection in my mind. There was the desire. I craved being healthy more than I craved that extra cookie. I became determined to succeed and so I made a realistic plan on how make it happen.

The will to win, the desire to succeed - Confucious


So how do I go about making that connection from dream to desire in other aspects of my life? That is a very tough question to answer. I think that to find the desire to outweigh the inertia is going to be personal for everyone which is why it's hard to find sometimes.

Maybe what I need to do is tap into my competitive spirit and find the desire in not submitting to those aspects of myself that I am not in love with. To find the desire and courage to change greater than the inertia of my procrastination and laziness. I need to find a way to compete with myself - because self-improvement is not something that can be weight against others. It is a battle and a race against ourselves.

Dream - Joy Page

11 comments:

  1. I often think about this subject and how scattered my interests have been and how I hop from project to project without ever becoming an expert at anything. Think of the Olympic athletes, great musicians, and others who seemed to have that desire, drive, and determination from birth. I'm trying harder now to focus on writing, but there are still too many other things I won't sacrifice for the dream.

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  2. I used the same word for me 'D' and I can only say, never give up. Later in the challenge I'll talk about staying 'hungry and determined.'

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    1. I read that! I thought it was a wonderful coincidence. I'll keep my eye out for that topic!

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  3. Great choice for "D". I really liked the quotes you picked.

    New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Sylvia! I'll be sure to stop by your blog as well!

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  4. Nothing gives me more determination than seeing a list with nothing crossed off of it.

    I'm enjoying the depth of your posts friend. :3

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    1. It's a little different from my usual, eh? It's slow time at work so I have the ability to really sit and think.

      Sadly, if a list gave me more determination than my 1001 list posted on my door would have more things crossed off! lol

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  5. Thanks for these uplifting posts. I love the quotes you put on here.

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  6. Excellent D post! I'm enjoying your theme.
    Connie
    Checkin' in from the A to Z Challenge.
    Peanut Butter and Whine

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  7. Terrific post - I enjoy my dreams; I have had some of my life's desires - and I continue to have the determination to work on getting more! Cheers!

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