Dreams

“Today’s children are tomorrow’s future,” is a common saying that is usually plastered throughout walls of elementary schools everywhere.  It is a positive statement that sums up the collective generalization that most people want to romanticize the goals of the upcoming youth.  When reality hits, however, the sting can be lasting.  “You can be anything you want to be,” is a phrase that once filled my mind with dreamlike splendor of what could happen in my life.  When one really contemplates these words, the lie is so blatant and crushing to the spirit.  This ambitious statement represents my first confrontation with hypocrisy.

One human being cannot do everything.  Different people experience contrasting talents.  Therefore, one cannot be anything they want to be.  A colorfully gifted population is what society needs to function.  If each one of us had the same abilities, then the world would not be able to operate at its fullest capacity.  Variety is simply a fact of life and should be accepted early on to avoid emotional scarring and ridiculous expectations. 

Should society not pressure the next generation?  Talking down to children and destroying their dreams is unethical, but should the world be painted in such a generous light that is so clearly unrealistic?  Do not be mistaken, a child can have dreams.  If they are relevant to a child’s interests and skills then they are wonderful because they give them drive to accomplish goals and achieve what might seem highly impossible from their standing.  If people lacked dreams, not a soul would be able to get out of the bed in the morning.  They serve a purpose to entice us to keep going in life and see what the next page and, in turn, what the next chapter of our lives holds.  One can be anything they have the knowledge, skill, and talent for.