Dreamers vs Realists

I have been wanting to write about this for awhile now.  This quote has been in the back of my mind for over a month and the appropriate time for me to post about it has finally come.  Before you read the second sentence, you probably already determined which one you are; the dreamer or the realist.  Then of course there will be the few of you who will say, "Ehh... i'm a little bit of both" (you are the weakest link in any group).

There has never been a doubt in my mind which one describes myself.  I have a lifelong list of ideas and personal goals with only a post-it note full of achievements.  A scary thought that would force most to make that jump into the realistic world.  The same world where decisions are made with your brain rather than your heart.  Where results are measured upon immediate physical evidence rather than limitless potential opportunity.

One of my closest friends once described me as the kind of guy who swings for the fence every at bat.  At first I didn't know how to take that.  It hasn't been until recently that I take pride in this.  Everything that I have accomplished thus far has been on my own account.  I have been fortunate enough to have friends who support me and for family who believes in me.  By no means do they understand my personal ambitions but they respect it.  That's all I can really ask for.

When you are a dreamer, you must establish some form of tunnel vision.  There will be doubters and even people who take jabs at what you are trying to accomplish.  It is these people who will keep you from fulfilling those dreams.  Not because they are unattainable, but because you allow them make you believe it is.

Are realists the doubters? Not necessarily.  They are the reason things actually get accomplished.  They are the stage crew.  They work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly.  They have thought of every situation and will make sure everyone is fully prepared.  Without them, the show could potentially turn into a disaster!

But what most realists don't understand or appreciate is the fact that without the dreamers, there would be no show.  The dreamers want to change the world because they truly believe they can.  But it takes the realists to make these changes become something real.  Without the dreamer's attitude towards the phrase, "it can't be done" as unacceptable, imagine where our world would be.  For every innovative idea, there were millions who laughed at it or said it couldn't be done.

Sometimes I wonder if the realists wish they could actually be dreamers.  Whether they are too afraid of failure or they simply don't have the confidence to stick their neck out.  Either way, it's ironic how the dreamers are those who are most excited to get out of bed to make their dreams become reality while the realists fantasize about their dreams.