The majority of the free people in this world will walk the whole of their journey perfectly willing to surrender their dreams in exchange for social acceptance and medial financial security.

The great and powerful Ego is pleased with this trajectory because the Ego is afraid to lose it’s prominent status. If we are fearful of quitting our job and taking a chance, the Ego remains sure of itself.

No wonder we jump at the chance to be ruled by routine and predictability— it’s safe. The Ego promises order in a chaotic world.

It’s so attractive to follow the status quo.

But the truth is, bad things can and will happen to us even if we play our cards perfectly. Jobs are lost, relationships fail, people get sick and die, accidents happen. I can’t look to the Universe and ask, “Why me?” Because I know the answer: “Why NOT me?”

I think it’s important to strive for greatness in thought, word and deed regardless of the outcome. We only get this one precious life to live. If we are one of the few lucky people to be born into privilege (and by that I mean middle to upper class democracy), why waste 30+ years at jobs we despise?

Society does an excellent job of putting us in our place— of molding us into good consumers. But once we are aware of this robotic cycle (birth—education—job—retirement—death), the choice of how to proceed is totally within our power.

What makes your heart beat wildly? If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?

What is your craziest dream?

Even the thought can seem like treason. Like we’re committing a sin to scheme and dream up our perfect life.

The moment I realized that I create my reality, I saw a bigger picture. Sure, there was fear and apprehension, but that was just my Ego rearing its ugly head. Today, I’ve accepted that there are a few things that I can do to steer the ship optimally (hard work, good deeds and patience), and beyond that, things will unfold as they will.

I ask the Universe for things. I ask for signs. I ask for the right time. I ask for clarity and a greater inner knowing. Sometimes it takes a while for the Universe to respond and usually I’ve forgotten what I asked for by the time my answer arrives. These requests usually don’t come in a week or even a few months. Dreams take time, attention and dedication.

Milton Hershey had several failed business endeavors before the Hershey Chocolate Company became a success. Michael Jordan didn’t make the high school varsity basketball team his sophomore year.

J. K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” was rejected by publishing houses 12 times.

The one thing every successful person has in common is perseverance. It doesn’t matter how many times you fail. Keep showing up with all your heart and at least you’ll know you lived fully, free from the chains of the Ego.

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Editor: Renée Picard

Photo: Maja Topčagić at Pixoto