Don’t listen to other people’s dreams. http://amzn.to/1WqrVVC
Joseph Campbell Book: The power of myth
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Why you should not live other people's dreams
Joseph Campbell gave a short piece of advice: don’t listen to other people’s dreams. It sounds blunt. Yet it echoes his most famous idea, follow your bliss. Campbell believed each person has a path that feels right from the inside. Other people’s dreams, however well meant, can pull us away from it.
Those dreams arrive from many directions. Parents imagine a safe career. Friends praise a certain lifestyle. Social media shows a version of success that looks perfect. None of these voices are evil. Still, they describe someone else’s wishes. If we follow them blindly, we may reach the goal and feel strangely empty.
Separating your goals from other people's dreams
A simple test can help. Imagine nobody would ever know you achieved a certain goal. Would you still want it? If the answer is yes, it is probably yours. If the answer is no, it may belong to other people’s dreams. This question is uncomfortable, but it is honest.
That does not mean ignoring advice. Mentors, family and peers often see things we miss. The key is to treat their dreams as information, not instructions. Listen, thank them and then decide. For example, a parent’s fear about money can be useful data, even if you choose a different career.
Campbell also noticed that following your own path opens unexpected doors. People appear, opportunities show up and the work feels lighter. It is not magic. Instead, energy flows more easily when you believe in what you do. So protect your dream, test it and give it time. It deserves at least as much attention as anyone else’s.
After all, nobody else can live your life for you, so it makes sense to choose its direction yourself.
