Blog no. 11 of 17 (or thereabouts)
Do you dream of winning the lottery? Is your reply “who doesn’t?” Well, a little daydreaming does no harm, but in all honesty, it’s pretty bloody unlikely innit? I don’t say that to plunge you into bleak reflection, more to encourage you to abandon unfruitful reverie and focus on finding your own ‘personal lottery’. I’ve met lottery winners, one of ‘em a big one - big win, not big fella - £22m. Although money helps, of course, the bits of life that really matter, I mean really matter, have nothing to do with money. Have a sort through your dreams which don’t involve material acquisition, and if you don’t have any … go away, I’m not talking to you, you shallow, greedy git.
What’s left? What matters to you most? Why aren’t you doing it? I’ll bet it’s not about money, or at least that’s not the main reason if you’re truly honest with yourself. Don’t tell me about the obstacles, what they are, how bad they make you feel … tell me what you could do to shift them … you might just begin fashioning your winning personal lottery ticket.
Pursuing our dreams, if they’re different from the expectations of those closest to us or those of society generally, takes a courage few possess. One of the odd few is Steven Primrose-Smith, the UniCyclist. Aside of friends and family, his favourite things in life are learning, cycling and seeing the world. After a brush with death, he fully recognized the short time we have on this planet. He decided to get on with the pursuit of a dream, and blow me down if he didn’t come up with an extraordinary plan to combine all three of his passions. Steven’s created his ‘personal lottery’ in the form of UniCycle50, a three year cycle ride round 50 capitals in Europe while studying for two degrees with the Open University. I know some of you’ll say “well that costs money”. Of course, but Steven’s had the cojones to cash in his pension to fund this trip. He’ll be living on a shoestring, but, oh! the adventure, the experience … for everything else there’s Mastercard.
I can hear you cynically niggling and chirping, arms folded metaphorically across your chest … whatever negative gripes you’re opining, that’s fine, don’t chase your dream, but please have the good grace to respect someone going all out for theirs. Don’t tell me how it can’t be done, tell me how it can … and when I say ‘it’, I mean whatever your dream is. (If you’re 73 and dream of being an Olympic athlete, you’re not playing properly.)
I mean it, I don’t want to hear why or how you can’t pursue your dreams, tell me one thing which’ll take you a step towards what would thrill you most, no matter how small. Do it. I’ll do the same, I really will ... my little step's only a phonecall ... so easy, ridiculous I havent' done it before. Calm down, I'm not ringing X-Factor.
Today, Steven Primrose-Smith set off from the Isle of Man on a three-year 25,000 mile bike ride - you can find out how and why at http://www.unicycle50.com/
Steven, you magnificent dreamhunter, I humbly salute you … may your dream be as sweet in reality as it’s been in your head, my friend.
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