On a recent trip from Chicago to Atlanta, I stopped through Gary, Indiana to visit the childhood home of the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson. As we drove up that little one-lane, bumpy road, I couldn’t help but think to myself, what if he stayed? What if Michael Jackson never believed he could be greater than that little house on 2300 Jackson Street? There would be no hits, no music, no movies, no national day of mourning when he passed. There would’ve no moonwalk and no Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, or Omarion. There would be no inspiration for thousands of artists.
Not many people make it past their own “2300 Jackson Street.” Dreams are often buried by reality and reality often deters some from even dreaming. There are a generation of people who had to give up their dreams to work 9-5 jobs and provide for their families. The majority of employed Americans aren’t working jobs that fullfull their passions. There are teachers who wish they were cooks, and cooks who truly have a passion for painting. The world is so mixed up with people in the wrong careers who had to compromise their passion for paychecks. How much can a job pay you to give up on your dreams?
Then, you have those people who insist that they are living their dreams but the problem is just that–they’re their dreams. If personal goals aren’t in line with your life’s purpose and God’s will, then you’re simply wasting your time and your life. There are millions of folks who waste their talents on the wrong dreams. They even go as far as becomming successful at their craft, but without God’s blessing they’re going nowhere fast.
Finally, there are those that are like Mike. They don’t allow their environment or current state to dictate their future. There are people that dream of moonwalking on the moon and don’t let the fact that they are stationed on Earth stop them. These are the kinds of people whose motivation isn’t affected by successes or failures, but by a faith in God that surpasses human emotions.
Without faith there would have been no king of pop. There would have been no Grammys, millions of records sold, or iconic “Man in the Mirror.” If Micahel Jackson never dreamed, we’d be stuck in a nightmare.
Sleep derived dreams are similiar to real life dreams in that the minute you open your eyes, is the second your dream is ruined. Dream with your eyes closed because faith requires you can’t see what’s in front of you, but you have to know that it’s there. You’re bigger than your “2300 Jackson Street.” all you have to do is believe. The dream is real.
Pleasantries.
– Enitan Bereola, II
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Bereola is the go-to style and etiquette impresario, public speaker and entrepreneur. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed BEREOLAESQUE: The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette book for the Urban Sophisticate. He is working on his follow-up, Guide to Ladies’ Etiquette from a Gentleman’s Perspective. Find him at www.twitter.com/Bereolaesque and at www.facebook.com/Bereolaesque
