A story older than time is that people fail for a lack of imagination and commitment. Growing up in an impoverished community, I often felt like my dreams were only ways to end up dead or broke forever. It was forced-fed daily that we have to work twice as hard as our white counterparts to only be half as successful. That notion can be quite scary to a young black boy like me, who dreamed of the world slightly different.
Grabbing at Straws
Deep in the heart of every dream is a strong commitment to realizing the dream. I felt connected to the world of artistry from a very young age and knew that I needed to do something artistic with my life. Lacking the balance of both parents, growing in a struggling single-parent household, dreams died fast. I felt such a connection to the spirit of creation and the abstract nature of the artist. I would make beats, write poems, anything to feel connected to creation.
The vapid and lonely existence slowly faded to the harsh realities of survival. The more I watched the world around me, I realized the artistry in everyday living. From the mother who gracefully worked three jobs sometimes wiping sweat from her brow to bake beautiful birthday cakes. From the soul of the elders correcting the young wild children playing in the streets. Life was full of art. I had learned early to keep my dreams suppressed and begin to accept the status quo of making more tangible goals to chase.
In retrospect, I find that only after the artist has suffered can he truly find the light in his art. Cliché maybe, but there are some truths to the sayings we use as conversation fillers. Quickly I became more entrenched to develop a solid work ethic. Truthfully, I was not to enthused by the idea of public school or general education. Eventually, I searched for the knowledge and experiences that satisfied the yearnings buried beneath the doubt.
Listening for Whispers
In a classroom, everyone is jostling for some sort of position on the hierarchy of students. Some academic excellence, others popularity. I often sought the moment that could be a lasting memory. Early in life self confidence is a skill hard to develop when everyone is soo unsure of their identity. Family members lived out traditions sometimes they barely understood. Most of my peers were just following trends of the latest pop culture movement.
With a short temper, I’d often give up quickly on myself to journey the road others ostracized. I would often start down the road and then would detour when I saw how lonely and dark it seemed. I have learned to relegate peoples opinion in two categories: Positive and Negative. Now it may seem obvious what these two terms represent. But it would require a little more digging.
Positive comments are the ones that build me through correction and honesty. The hope that every nice interaction is to your benefit is delusional. The belief that only nice words help you grow, ignores the need to have resolve. However, the ramifications of to much niceness is as destructive as never receiving a kind word. I look for the genuine interaction, whether I agree with the delivery or not.
Negative comments are the ones that belittle or falsely build my confidence. The world beyond the circles you engage, is much less patient with a person unaware of their true reflection. The harshest thing a person can do to you is let you believe that jumping off Mount Everest will cause you no harm whatsoever.
Recognizing the positive and negative in a moment can take some years to truly discern.
Dream not of the world as it exists, but imagine the world as you see it existing. Your goals will change with age. Your soul should never be the leverage for success, but an anchor for destiny!”
Tangible, Intangible!
The world is made of elements both visible and invisible to the naked eye. All these components create the existence we flourish within. In my opinion, having to choose between a dream and a goal has been a huge misnomer. The heaviest days use the imagination to produce some semblance of sanity to push through. When you have realized success, it is the discipline of your routines and tasks that maintain your accomplishments.
Living most of my life under the cloak of blackness, I have seen many average people rise to high levels of success only to come crashing back to the cellar. I witness young people’s imagination solve real world problems that practicality can not seem to grasp. While I see no silver bullet to solve all of man’s questions to the meaning of life, I do see an opportunity.
Furthermore, daring to dream things no one can imagine is a sign of mental strength that should not be overlooked. However, sticking to and accomplishing the goals you set out to is a great sign of resolve.
Young black children need both the mental strength and physical resolve to realize a better future for them. The pain of a dream denied can torment a soul into eternity. The weight of a life without any imagination can seem like a burden of a joyless existence.
Choice
We always have the option to determine our life, even some of our ancestors chose a watery grave over captivity. The options are not always pretty. Taking the reigns of your life and deciding the route it shall go, is a great sense of empowerment.
In today’s society, there is an attack on people who do not conform to vast ideologies saturating the minds of young people. To that, I say, “Dream not of the world as it exists, but imagine the world as you see it existing. Your goals will change with age. Your soul should never be the leverage for success, but an anchor for destiny!” – Jacquel Ward
