Can you even imagine your dream life? No, I mean, really. Can you?
A few long years ago, there was no way that I could have dreamt the life I’m living now.
The life I’m living now seems like it’s the life of another person because I almost can’t believe that it’s truly me. But. Wait. Pinch my skin. It’s me. I can no longer deny it. I’m living what used to be my dream but is now reality. My reality.
Even as I type these words I wouldn’t believe it if it weren’t real. If it were a dream, like the kind you have when you sleep. Then you wake up and realize it all happened while you were asleep. But I’m awake. It’s real. It’s me.
I’m not sure how to say all of this without sounding like bragging. I’m actually quite a modest guy. I am more speaking to the Bradley Charbonneau of 2012. At that point, I’m pretty sure I would have never believed where I am now.
I write today to that old self and to you if you are not yet quite on the path to the dream life you imagine. Maybe you also think that it’s all going to be fireworks and mountaintops, that the “end of the journey” is the goal. Here’s one hint early on: it’s not.
I have no idea where I am on “the path.” I only know that I’m on it and not getting off. In fact, I don’t even care about what I used to see as “the goal” (whatever that was: money, fame, happiness).
Just a few bullet points, mostly for myself, to record this as where I actually am today:
- I’m in Schiphol Airport on my way to London to a writer’s conference.
Actually, that’s the only bullet point I need because it’s all wrapped up into there.
- I live in Europe.
- I’m traveling.
- I’m a full-time writer.
A few years ago I was doing some of #2, but didn’t enjoy it as much because #1 and #3 were smoke and mirrors dreams that I was pretty sure were never going to really happen as much as I wished them to.
I can feel the question from the audience. “Yeah, that’s great dude, but how did you do it?”
You already know where the answer is coming from. “Every Single Day.” No, I swear, I’m not just a walking billboard for my latest book. But in a way it’s the only way I know how to explain it.
- Passion (if you don’t have it, find it)
- Perseverance (if you don’t have this, work on it)
- Clarity (this usually comes with #1 and #2)
- Patience (if you reach #3, this one is easy)
- Play (let it come to you)
Again, I feel a little “guilty” because I have so much joy, so much love, so much happiness. But I just want to spread it and give it. I want to share it, I want to spill the “secrets” (they’re not that secret) to achieving what you want to.
We’re boarding now. Gotta run.
If it didn’t come across clearly, I just want to say that it’s possible. What you want, or even what you think you want, is possible with determination and patience and passion and all of that. It might sound like blah blah. But hey, that’s just a perspective.
My life is no longer blah blah. My life is real. It’s mine.
It’s really mine.
