Here’s a good one from Reba McEntire, the American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer:
“To succeed in life you need three things; a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.”
When we’re young, we wish and dream of what the future could possibly hold. Some people have the backbone to go after their dreams, but others take the safe route and stay within their comfort zones. Do the dreamers make it? Some might, but those that do not might fare better if they a born with a sense of humour to see them through.
Throughout my childhood I always had a dream of becoming a doctor. I have always been fascinated by the workings of the body. However, by the time I was about 17 or 18 it was quite clear to me that my brain would never be able to comprehend the level of mathematics and physics necessary for entry into medical school. Basically I think I am number illiterate.
The backbone comes into place when realising this fact and not writing yourself off as thick as two short planks. Undeterred, I left school and went into science in a different way, until I finally realised that I was not cut out to be a scientist either. When briefly trying to comprehend HND mathematics in a college course, I actually got the giggles one day and ended up playing noughts and crosses at the back of the class with a similarly affected friend. Quite the opposite of being academic I was arty and creative instead, but it took me many years to come to terms with this fact.
Now I’m revelling in my dream job of writing all day, and earning royalties for my novels. I regret not persevering with my writing as a youngster, but hey, I haven’t got one foot in the grave yet. Granted, the royalties are not enough to buy an ocean going liner, but after my experience on board a tender in the Cayman Islands, I wouldn’t want one anyway!
dgkaye said:
Like you, I’ve always written and loved to write, and thought about writing ‘a book’ when I was younger. Maybe the timing wasn’t right, so better late than never. 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Absolutely.
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Bernadette said:
It is interesting how all the twists and turns in the road can lead us back to our youthful love.
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franklparker said:
Life certainly has a habit of getting in the way of dreams. Perhaps not so much today as in the past, there are so many safety nets out there now – and many, many more university places than there were in my day. I was advised to ‘get a trade’ before trying to make a living from writing. I do believe it was the right advice for the time in which we were living. Two TV channels which operated for no more than 8 or 9 hours a day, no weekend newspaper supplements and none of the plethora of specialist magazines that line the shelves of news agents these days. So not many opportunities for a would be journalist.
I was offered a job on an Engineering weekly paper once but it would have meant moving to London on the same salary as I was getting in the provinces. With a 2 year old child it wasn’t a risk I could afford to take.
Like you, I’m enjoying the freedom to write what I like and not worry too much about whether it makes any money as I have a couple of company pensions that mean I’m financially more secure than I have ever been.
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Stevie Turner said:
What is it they say – ‘Life happens when you’re busy making other plans’!
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Darlene said:
I dreamt of being a school teacher and after many years became a teacher of English as a second language which I loved. Then I became an adult educator, teaching people how to look for work. It was so rewarding. It was all a blessing in disguise as many of my friends became disillusioned with the teaching profession. I now get to go to schools and read my books and discuss writing with the kids and love it!! It all works out in the end. Love the quote!!
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Stevie Turner said:
It’s a great quote, isn’t it? My daughter-in-law is also becoming rather disillusioned with teaching. It’s such a shame, after studying so hard for 4 years.
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Stevie Turner said:
I don’t know, but maybe it’s what we have seen or remembered as young children? With hindsight it’s always best to stick with what we’re good at to avoid disappointments!
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jenanita01 said:
I too dreamed of playing the piano and in my soul it felt as though I could already. But no amount of lessons and trying had any effect, leaving me bereft. Why do we have these dreams if we are not physically capable of achieving them?
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