Over the last few years I have been fortunate enough to come in contact with some remarkable young minds. Although unfortunately, many of these individuals have collectively fallen victim to society, in the sense that they have given up on their attainable dreams without realizing it. And worse, without even tapping into the means to achieve them. Dreams should never know deterrence, nor deference.

I shall start by saying that, for the most part, there is nothing wrong with the societal status quo. Going to college, then occupying a 9 to 5 or being a housewife for the rest of one’s life. The ordinary. In spite of that, there are some individuals whose purpose on this Earth is simply fated for the extraordinary.

The iconic Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” And if I subscribe to nothing else in my life, I subscribe to that. Because in this life there are ideas, and there are convictions; and an idea can only become a conviction if the holder of that idea believes in it. But where the issue lies, in reference to Mr. Disney’s wisdom, is that many millennial minds do not believe in their own dreams. Therefore, they never have the courage to pursue them.

And I get it, the struggle that comes before the triumph isn’t for everyone. Not everyone is willing to work a dreaded job in pursuit of a desired career. However, those people do not really want their dream. What those individuals want is a handout. A handout that enables their idea to come to fruition, but it doesn’t work like that. One grinds, and sacrifices whatever it takes until they can’t anymore.

There’s an infamous motivational excerpt that states, “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.”  You see, the beauty of dreams is that they’re attainable. That’s the beauty of life, really, that one can achieve whatever it is they believe. But that belief begins and ends within.

Often I encounter individuals who have allowed the influence of others to negatively affect their game plan. That is a recipe for failure, because one cannot let an outside influence dictate an internal journey. Even comparing self progression to the progression of someone else and their goals can be a detriment. When an individual focuses on the work of another, they could potentially hinder themselves. Imagine one’s maximum potential is higher than the person they’re modeling themselves after, but the individual never realizes it because they’ve limited themselves to someone else’s glass ceiling.

It can all be very simple. Dreaming, and achieving, is an intimate journey that involves self-determination. One should strive towards those dreams until every ounce of pursuit is drained. Chase three things in life: your liquor, that person who gave you goosebumps at first sight, and your dreams. And never let anyone deter or defer you from your dreams.