Quotes

“The most pitiful among men is he who turns his dreams into silver and gold.”
–Kahlil Gibran

I thought that I would close the dreams quotes series (or at least the first “dreams quotes” series!) with a quote that relates dreams to money.

Do you think that it is pitiful to equate dreams with silver and gold? I know that for myself, one of my dreams is to be financially free, which could be easily equated to money. However, I don’t dream of being rich as much as I dream of the freedom from the shackles of money. Our family would have the time and energy to pursue more worthwhile endeavors, in my opinion.

I have a relative, however, who equates his happiness with nothing but money. He ignores his family and other leisurely pursuits, and is obsessed with money. To me, he is really pathetic.

What about you? What are your thoughts on dreams and money? Is it acceptable to have “Donald Trump” dreams?

“Pay attention to your dreams - God’s angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep.”
–Eileen Elias Freeman

This is a deviation from the other quotes about dreams, but I thought that it was interesting. Do you think that dreams are a connection to another world, or perhaps a portal for communication with those who have left this earth?

Personally, I am not sure, but I do think that it is possible. I have a close friend who committed suicide a number of years ago, and he still “appears” in my dreams every once in awhile. When he first died, I attributed his appearance in my dreams to my frequent thoughts of him. But even now, I will have a dream where he is present, and usually the dream contains some significant meaning.

Have you experienced something similar? What are some plausible explanations?

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
–Epicurus

I think that many people are spoiling it for themselves these days. Perhaps we are old-fashioned, but my husband and I do not wish for a lot. We don’t have new cars, we have a modest house, and we certainly don’t keep up with the latest fashion trends! This is not to say that we don’t have any luxuries - we do. But at the end of the day, all we really want is a happy family and a nice little roof over our heads.

These days, I see people working their tails off in the rat race so that they can own the latest vehicle, or the bigger house. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting nice things. But the tragedy is in the sacrifices people are making to get the bigger and better things. Health and family seem to fall by the wayside as more stress and longer hours (and therefore more money) take precedence.

What do you think?

“There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.”
– Douglas H. Everett

I am not sure that a “dream world” can become reality, since I cannot envision a true peace on earth. But I do think that there are dreams that can come true, and that it takes a person who can face reality to make that vision happen. In other words, I think that if we are not willing to face reality, we cannot make our dreams real.

Do you have a dream world that you like to escape to? Or do you live in a dream world? Do you face reality? Are you trying to turn your dreams into reality?

What do you think of the quote as a whole? Would you tend to agree or disagree? Why or why not? Any comments would be appreciated!

“Follow your own particular dreams. We are handed a life by peers, parents and society, you can do that or follow your own dreams. Life is short, be a dreamer but be a practical person.”
–Hugh Hefner

What a great quote from a more interesting figure in society! In general, I think that there are many people today who are trying to fulfill the dreams of others - would you agree or disagree?

On a related note, do you think that the dreams and expectations of others help us to succeed and achieve our dreams, or do you think that it hinders us? I personally think that it depends, but I think that it is best when we have someone that believes in us unconditionally, and trusts us to learn from our mistakes.

I also think that another interesting aspect to this quote is the part about being practical. This is seen by some to be in conflict with dreaming large - would you agree or disagree?

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
–Gail Devers

What do you think of this quote? I think that the correlation between hope (which is inferred) and dreams is interesting, and is very relevant given today’s world. It is becoming more difficult to keep some dreams alive given today’s economic climate. Do you think that we just need to become more determined and dedicated when times get tough? Or is it time to reevaluate our dreams and make adjustments?

Furthermore, does adjusting our dreams qualify us as a failure? Or are we simply being realistic?

Finally, do you think that change needs to happen on a higher level (meaning on levels that are beyond our immediate control) in order to help us achieve our dreams?

“I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
–Henry David Thoreau

Do you think that it is always possible to achieve your dreams in today’s society? I don’t feel that it is as easy as it once was. I think that it is getting harder to achieve dreams. Even though many people have dreams that are achievable, the current economic climate prevents them from doing so. Personally, I am tired of empty promises from politicians while they continue to take my money to line their own pockets. I am worried about supporting my parents and my child, as well as funding mine and my husband’s retirement.

What about you? How is today’s economy affecting your dreams? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

“How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal and you have to be willing to work for it.”
–Jim Valvano

I think that the last part of the quote deserves a special mention. It seems to me that many people are not really willing to work for their dreams and goals these days - they want everything handed to them.

On the other hand, those that are willing to work hard are frequently taken advantage of. I think that there is an increasingly smaller group of people who are being rewarded fairly for their work.

In addition, there are those who take more rewards then they should, and their greed is part of a large problem that is not being addressed.

Would you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

“To dream anything that you want to dream. That’s the beauty of the human mind. To do anything that you want to do. That is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits. That is the courage to succeed.”
–Bernard Edmonds

Do you think that it is possible to achieve all of your dreams?  Why or why not?

Do you think that this perspective changes with age?

Do you think that it is will alone that determines if dreams will be achieved?  What about courage?  What role does it play?

I personally think that tenacity should be included, but that’s just my opinion!

“What if you slept? And what if, in your sleep, you dreamed?
And what if, in your dream, you went to heaven
and there plucked an strange and beautiful flower?
And what if, when you awoke, you had the flower in your hand?
Ah, what then?”
–Samuel Taylor Coleridge

What do you think?  Do you think that dreams can come true?  Or that an alternate version of reality exists?  I think that this quote can take on two different meanings, depending on the interpretation.  Would you agree or disagree?

In another context, what would you do if this happened to you?  Would you try to destroy the flower?  Or would you preserve it?