‘I am going to be a star’.

Many young people dream this at some point in their lives. Sometimes we try and discourage them and in other cases we encourage them. Sometimes, reality sets in and they settle for what’s on the plate. Sometimes, as seen on such TV shows as ‘X-factor’ and ‘Pop Idol’, more times than not these dreams come crashing down like a ton of bricks.

But then there are those who refine the star to ‘pop star’, ‘film star’ and even ‘geek star’ and slowly work away at achieving this lofty goal because it is what defines them. Along this way, some lose the requirement to be a public ‘star’ and just become ‘star’ in their field, a star where they are held in high esteem but their peers in whatever the field, others discover new routes and new interests that turn them from being a ‘football star’ into a potential Noble Prize contender and still a star.

I had a surreal conversation this week where someone asked me about my future plans after I leave work in July. How would I survive without a job and income? Thinking about it later I realised my attempt at explanation would have made me appear like I was heading for a mighty unprepared crash.

How do you ask someone to explain their dreams?

I think that if I had sat the person down and explained my dreams and hopes for hours on end, the result would have been the same. As author Paulo Coelho (he keeps appearing in my posts) wrote recently ‘If you have a dream, don't waste your energies explaining why’.

I cannot guarantee my dreams will come true just as much as they who play it safe can guarantee that they will remain in such a comfortable situation. I, at least, will have had a go and crashed and burned in spectacular fashion and I could be a ‘failure star’.

May you find the balance.

[First published on my Talking2Myself blog on specified date]