If anything's possible...

What do you want?

No, seriously, if you could have anything you wanted in the entire world, any life, any wish, any fantastic dream you only dandle in your imagination, what would it be?

I think it's so funny when I hear the phrase "I'd give anything..." to go to, to have, to get, whatever.

And yet, it seems to me that whenever we say that, we're talking about the things we don't give anything for, either because we percieve them as too much work or as impossible.

I've heard that phrase on the lips of many people who consider themselves "dreamers". I say it's garbage. If you really were willing to give anything, you'd give it. If you want it that badly you would wear yourself out, day in and day out finding a way to make it possible.

I'm sure countless people throughout the ages have said "I wish I were rich.", "I wish I were strong", "I wish I wasn't so fat", or "I'd give anything to dance like that".

These phrases are spoken many times every day, but the fact is for every good thing in life, there's a price to pay. For the rich man, it may be years of struggle, poverty, fear of failure, and being the only one who believes in you.

For the the strong man and the fat man, it may be hours upon hours in the gym, hours researching foods, fewer junk foods, time spent learning about the body and muscle groups.

For the dancer it's hours on the stage, money into lessons, practice unceasing.

Have you ever noticed that when you really pusue something because you saw someone else do it well, very soon you forget about why you started, and just revel in the experience? For me, I want to be a great writer someday. Maybe all I'll ever publish is this blog, but if one person per entry for one moment stops and thinks, then I've accomplished my work for one day. And if they don't, so what? I get more satisfaction of vomiting thought and emotion onto this screen than anything I've ever done before.

I have known great people in all facets of life, and all of them have paid a harsh price for where they are. I recently heard a gentleman of my aquaintance, when asked about his ideal mate, respond "I need a girl who has suffered for her faith." I think he's right. Metal untried in forge's flame crumbles and dusts before it does much of anything.

So I have to stop and think, sometimes, before I let one slip, "What are you really willing to give?" Because the minute I say it, it becomes either a goal, or a lie. I recommend it highly to anyone who's ever wondered about what it takes to be great at something, to ask. We usually know enough about something to at least begin.

In conclusion, build castles in the sky, as they say, THEN worry about foundations beneath them. Build them strong, for they may be all you have in dark times.