I don't know why we dream and I don't know how dreams work. So I used magic to look it up. Abra cadabra (go with it), press enter, what? Dreaming is an actual science? Oneirology. I don't even know how to pronounce that. But, let's pretend I do and that I understand that EEGs illustrate brain activity during REM cycles. The two hours of dreaming we do a night is quite similar to being awake. So, I got to thinking, do we dream the dreams we dream based on the very last thought before our eyes close? I wonder if my dream last night is an indication of what I aim to be in real life? Not a rhetorical. I do aim to find the answer.
If, according to the dream analysts or oneirogolists (spell check DOES NOT recognize this term, there is a red squiggly line!; I'm now afraid this research might be bogus), I dreamt that I was 5'8", slender enough to rock leather pants, and stealthy enough to disguise two shot guns, a semi-auto, and a machete (DO NOT ask me where said items were hidden; my dream me would have to kill you), does that mean I aim to be a searing, take-no-punches, I'll-cut-ya assassin? Renegade? Ex-CIA operative gone rogue trying to save American women from their deceptive husbands? Hm...
Or. Mayhaps this is what the research is really telling me, my very last thought before I closed my eyes last night was to dream big. Here's the cliche, so prepare yourself: it's no Hollywood secret that being in entertainment is arduous. And, as I say that out loud, I'm almost positive, every industry has a tactic or multiple tactics that ensure you absolutely work hard first before you're rewarded. Because then, what's the point? I mean, yes, we all want to make money, but aside from earning a paycheck, hard work gives us something else. Success? Accolades? Critically-acclaimed, but low ratings (sad face)? Sky-rocketing ratings, but an overall rejection from entertainment journalists, but 10 seasons and 2 spin-offs? Fulfillment. Execution. Completion.
In the kernel of working hard for all said above, there might be a diversion. Loss of ambition. Loss of focus, and certainly an admission that working hard doesn't always mean you're being challenged. Though, said admission is justified because you've more than likely contributed to society by having and raising children, and throwing out loads of money for K-college private education. (Thank you, Mom) See, hard work. Tricky bastard. Whatever its purpose, without it, there is no reward, however that reward presents itself.
So, you've worked hard. And mayhaps, you're complacent. Where's the fulfillment? The execution? The completion? It's in the big dreams (I told you it was cliche, do not judge me). The ones where you're kicking ass, and you're on top of the world, and you're saving lives. And then you wake up the next day, and you've figured out the cure to cancer. Or you realize how to help the antisocial six-year-old who frequently wets his pants in your kindergarten class. Or you've decided healing people in the jungle is way more satisfying than private medicine. Or you've created some rad protagonist supported by illuminating characters who jump off the page and splash the screen with all of its awesomeness.
Dear 26,
In your 20s, you're counting your pennies. How will the rent get paid? Oh god, when will I eat? But, you work hard. You're ambitious and you see the reward. When you're 46, and you've purchased Ma's Napa Valley retirement home, and you're thinking of ground-breaking ideas of how to manage your lead actor better while simultaneously pleasing the executives, plus the rewards are nonstop, don't forget to dream big. Don't forget that you look great in leather pants, and that you think being tall will make you look thinner, and that machetes are awesome tools for cutting through bone marrow, but...
Most importantly. In your dreams, everything is possible.
Sincerely,
Mostly Pilar
P.S. Reminder. When you're 66, and living in Santa Barbara, and "managing" the realm you've created from afar, read this again. Or someone, probably my sister, kick me in the ass! The kids are out of college already, there's no need for complacency. Dream big.
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