T is for Thoreau

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” ---Henry David Thoreau

     I have this Thoreau quote on a necklace that I wear when I am feeling discouraged or otherwise down. I also where it when I am elated with where my writing career is leading me! I have gifted many a writer friend with the same necklace because writers need to remember this.

     Dissect the quote.

    “Go confidently . . .” and just what does it take to “go confidently”? For me, confidence comes when I know what I am doing. So I take writing classes. I read books about writing. I participate in several writing critique groups. But that’s not enough, to know, to be informed. One must do something with that information--“go”. Write, create, produce.

    “. . . in the direction of your dreams.” What if one didn’t have dreams, passions, interests? It’s hard for me to imagine, but I have friends who continue to work in their careers because they cannot imagine what else they would do with their time. They still love their work, but that is not what is keeping them to their jobs. They fear the loss of identity and purpose that would accompany leaving it. They don’t know what could fill the space.

     I do not lack for dreams or passions or interests. I cannot live long enough to do all I want to do. I am sad for those who don’t have that same zest.

     “Live the life you’ve imagined.”

     I am. And it is good. That is what I wish for all of you. Live to the fullest extent the life you’ve imagined. You deserve it. In the words of my favorite Star Trek captain, “Make it so.”