This is an open letter for anyone who’s been living a lie. For the artist constrained in a cube farm. For the traveler locked in the suburbs. For the entrepreneur crippled by fear of failure. Feel free to send it to a doubtful relative, an over-bearing boss, or yourself. Sometimes a simple letter is all you need to deliver a powerful message.
[Andrés Nieto Porras | Flickr | Modified]
It’s time I told you the honest truth. I’m not who you think I am.
I’ve sold you a bogus version of myself. A soulless shell with a painted smile. I tried for the longest time to hide my real self from you. I was afraid you’d call me stupid, naive, or worse, unrealistic.
But I can’t hold back any longer. I’m an artist. I’m a doer. I’m a maker. I’m creative. I’m unique. I’m no longer going to waste away my time on things that don’t make me happy. I can’t reconcile being the person you want me to be.
I’m moving on.
You, on the other hand, you want to hold me back. You want to bring me down to your mediocre level. You didn’t chase your dream. You let fear cloud your judgement. You didn’t follow your heart. You settled for comfortable, you became addicted to the sweet, steady flow of a paycheck and a corner office.
You are not me.
Failure I can accept. Failure is progress. Failure is potential. -@MillennialType
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But to cower from failure. You’re pathetic.
You who didn’t even step out your door, you who shuddered and hid, you who blew off your “crazy” dreams – I don’t respect you.
I respect the people who give everything they got to chase their dream.
I respect the 55-year old who woke up in a cold sweat and wasn’t afraid to ask herself, “What am I doing with my life?”
I respect the college drop-out turned business owner. I respect the starving musician jamming in the park.
I respect anyone who knowing the odds are stacked against them, who knowing the chance of success is minimal, who knowing the path before them isn’t practical, follow the path anyway.
Do you understand now?
I have an irrational belief all of us are put on this earth for a reason, that we all have something to contribute for the prosperity of others. The folks who don’t chase their dreams are selfish. And I don’t want to be selfish. Selfish is mean.
If I don’t chase my dream, I miss my chance of giving something back to this world.
To not pursue my dream and live the practical life is pitiful.
You don’t need my respect, I understand. Maybe you can learn from my example. Maybe you’ll realize a life lived in fear is no life at all, that life is an adventure, not a cold countdown.
I’m sorry I lied for so long. I know it was wrong of me to do. But the truth is out. I am not who you think I am.
I’m not you.
Sincerely,
Me
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Discussion Question: Who would you send this letter to (no specific names please)? Share your response on Twitter or in the comments.
The post It’s Time I Told You the Honest Truth by Declan Wilson appeared first on A Millennial Type.