Blog 4: The Generation of Dream Killers

I have a phrase that I've been throwing around lately. It doubles as my mantra and my excuse for dropping out of school, and it's this: "It's not that I have no direction. There are just too many directions I want to go in." This is not a bad problem to have. I'm very greedy when it comes to what I want out my life. I want it all; and by that I don't mean money, houses, women, fame, etc. I mean I want to leave my mark in every area that I love--art, writing, and music. I think my generation, after a certain point, is content to watch their dreams flushed down the toilet.
Let me clarify. When we're born, I think we see the world and its possibilities through a thousand foot window. Anything and everything can be done in terms of our dreams. Then somewhere along the way (I'd say post-college graduation), our view of the world is through a pinhole. The world becomes a much more limited place. We're forced to choose. It's like John Lennon wrote; "...they've tortured and scared you for 20 odd years, then they expect you to pick a career." We're frightened into thinking averageness is the only way we'll survive. Become part of the "machine", as Pink Floyd said. Our dreams are relegated to nothing but juvenile childhood fantasies that have no chance of ever putting food on the table. Then I heard another phrase. "Do what you love, and the money will follow." Do what you love. That's exactly what I intend to do. Trust me, I have no delusions of grandeur. I don't expect to make history books. I don't expect to have my drawings hanging alongside Picasso in museums. I just expect that when I'm on my death bed, I can say with all certainty that I did what I loved. That I didn't let my dreams go down the toilet in lieu of the safe road.
So if you love your office job, if you love pouring concrete--if being a bricklayer is to you what playing guitar is to me, please please do it. A job only becomes "average" when it's not exactly where you want to be. This all may have sounded naive, but what can I tell you? I'm still learning.

Quote for Today: "Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief. All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief." U2 - The Fly

Current Listening: The Clash - Live at Shea Stadium