Growing up, people used to tell us to follow our dreams. Now they want us to “be realistic.” However, it’s fully realistic to live a life that includes following our dreams.
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“You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose,” as Dr. Seuss told us in his story Oh, the Places You’ll Go. Yet, somehow, this piece of advice starts to seem childishly optimistic when faced with the fierce, difficult realities of life. Some may say it’s better—safer—to follow the pre-scripted paths set for us rather than to risk making our own path. But, Dr. Seuss was right, our life is ours to live. Carrie Roberts shares a similar message in her talk, “If You Don’t Like It, Change It.”
But how do you choose the right path for you when so many people are eager to tell you what path to take? Roberts says, “Your journey is to know and understand your why so that you can live your life and not someone else’s. You are to progress in the way that you need, not in the way that someone else thinks you should.” This is a terrifying prospect, perhaps, but an awe-inspiring, liberating prospect as well.
This is your life. Whose dreams are you following, if you aren’t following your own? Following your dreams and choosing your own path can be difficult; it can be terrifying. But, as Roberts says, “What you can achieve is without limits and has no boundaries.”
You can do anything, but that’s only if you’re willing to try.
Read more about taking control of your path in life in Carrie Roberts’ talk, “If You Don’t Like It, Change It.”
Source: BYU Speeches
—Kjanela Fawcett, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY JOHANNES PLENIO
Find more insights
For more about leading a happy and fulfilling life, read and watch “Happiness, Your Heritage” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
Steer your life towards happiness; read about choosing to laugh in Sharon G. Samuelson’s talk “Shall I Laugh, Or Shall I Cry?”