So
for those of us who rely on our conscious surroundings, I recommend that
you nurture your dreams by staying open to the opportunities that
await. Consider how this story could have ended far differently if
Monty Roberts had let others dampen his dreams.
In
his book The Man Who Listens to Horses, famed horse trainer Monty
Roberts tells about the time one of his teachers in high school assigned a
paper called “My Goals in Life.” The teacher, Mr. Fowler, was
interested only in practical goals – not fantasies about going to Hollywood
to become a movie star, and the like. But young Monty had a serious
dream. The son of a horse trainer, he longed to own a thoroughbred
racehorse facility. Monty turned in a detailed plan to achieve his dream.
Mr.
Fowler returned his paper with a failing grade. “It’s a wild,
unattainable dream,” he told the teen. “I know your family and
background; it would not be possible.” He insisted Monty rewrite the
paper.
The
next day, after talking with his mother, Monty returned his original paper
to Mr. Fowler. He included a note saying he believed in his plan and the
teacher shouldn’t limit his aspirations. Mr. Fowler didn’t respond at
the time, but Monty got an A in the course.
Monty
ultimately achieved his dream through hard work and determination.
Many years later, he received a call from Mr. Fowler, who wanted to
arrange a tour of Monty’s stables for his church group.
After
the tour, Mr. Fowler told the group about the term paper and the note Monty
had written. “There was a time when I told Monty that this was
unattainable,” he said. “Now we’ve all had a good look around, and
seen how he proved me wrong.” His student, he said, had taught him
“the most valuable lesson I ever learned.”
Don’t
give up on your dreams! And don’t allow others to discourage
you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice, but make sure you
choose carefully whose counsel you will seek.
As
I often say, believe in yourself, even when no one else does. If you
don’t try, how will you ever succeed?
In
1782, Robert Shurtleff joined the Continental Army. He marched and
fought with the men of the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment in the
Revolutionary War.
He
was a model soldier. During one battle, Shurtleff sustained a bullet
wound to his leg that he tended himself before marching back into action.
Word of Shurtleff’s courage and camaraderie spread amongst the
troops. The soldiers had the utmost respect for him, though they
nicknamed him “Molly” because of his smooth, hairless face. Soon he
was tagged to become the assistant to a high-ranking officer.
But
in 1783, a deadly fever swept through many of the Army’s camps.
Shurtleff took ill, and that’s when his true identity was discovered:
Shurtleff was really Deborah Sampson.
Sampson
had spent much of her life as an indentured servant and longed for
adventure. The Army seemed to offer the ideal solution as well as the
opportunity to serve her country. She just had to hide the fact that
she was a woman!
Once
her identity was known, the Army was obliged to release her from duty –
women weren’t allowed to serve. But the Army stepped up and awarded
Sampson an honorable discharge and a military pension for her year in
service.
After
she married and raised a family, Sampson was ready for another adventure.
She dusted off her old Army uniform and began touring the country,
speaking about her experiences as a frontline soldier in the Revolutionary
War – and maybe encouraging someone else to take a risk and follow a dream.
Mackay’s Moral: Better
to chase a dream than to be pursued by regrets.
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