Wherever you go there you are…

Your thoughts create your reality. It’s a well know aphorism in need of some renovation, or maybe a bit more context. A quote from the late Pete Postlethwaite, the famous English character actor sums it up for me: “Your thoughts are weightless.”

In the context of an actor’s profession, it’s a way of communicating the idea that you bring a character to life through your physical interpretation. When I first heard this years ago, I was struck by how fascinatingly applicable it is to the human experience writ large. So, to modify the opening line above – your thoughts can create your reality, but you’ve got to work at it.

There are a lot of ideas in the world. It’s something the human brain is fantastically good at generating. Unfortunately, most ideas never see the light of day. People often think that because they’ve had one, it will somehow miraculously work out. Could, would, should. I could have gone on that adventure in Africa but x, y, and z prevented me from following through. I would have started that new business but everyone told me it couldn’t be done. Look at that new product in the hardware store! I had that idea years ago! I should have filed a patent!

Through the media, and particularly social media, people in the modern world are constantly bombarded with representations of success and the illusion of success. When one is told about any number of notable public figures in whatever profession, there is often a sense that such figures are lucky to have made it. As I’ve gotten older (and I actually am old), I’ve had to acknowledge that there is an element of luck in everything (more on luck in another post), but the truth is mostly about work, choices and sacrifice – and some sacrifices people end up regretting. Nobody has it all.

I guess the point of this post can be summarized as follows: Dream the dreams, live a life filled with ideas, be curious about lots of things, and execute – be out there working to make your life real. And to finish off with another aphorism: everything you want is on the other side of fear. Don’t be stopped.