“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What does “dream big dreams” really mean? The definition of “big” is: of considerable size, extent, or intensity. While these three adjectives serve to provide a basic meaning, they can only be understood by way of comparison using a reference point or yardstick. Context provides the subtle nuances that are lacking in the mere words – size, extent, intensity.
Humanity is small within the structure of the universe. The extent of our physical reach is limited by time and space. We live intense lives, but they are short compared to the duration of a star. William Butler Yeats once said, “In dreams begins responsibility.” Perhaps “big dreams” are those that are universal, that endure beyond our timeline, foster a greater good and gives meaning to our existence.
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”
Albert Schweitzer
Lady Budd 
Thanks again for another inspirational post.
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You are living your dreams – you can see it in every post and comment you make. It makes all of the difference…
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We are a huge and necessary diversity of peoples and individuals, each one a galaxy of elements.
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Well said! And it seems that we are weaving a tapestry, without knowing the beginning or end. And that is as it should be.
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Yes, you have identified something important there…”universal’ and ‘beyond our timeline”. Interestingly, sometimes, our dreams start out very tiny and somewhere along the line become big.
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As I read your comments, the first thought that came to mind was by Winston Churchill! I agree wholeheartedly. Our dreams do start out small, then grow beyond us…
“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.”
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you have got me reading twice regularly – checking your structure to see if I have missed anything – 3 great interlinked quotes which all make me think – great
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You are too kind, Scott!!! Photos have a way of centering my thoughts, allowing me to look closely at the story behind the lens. That is why I love stopping by your blog – there is always an adventure.
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Your two quotes are extraordinary. Emerson’s quote sets the stage, I believe. Schweitzer gets to the root of the subject. Your post, once again, shows wisdom, thanks. I do believe that compassionate service brings happiness.
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We live and work within tribes. When one of “ours” hurts, we all hurt. It is natural for us respond compassionately. In the past, our tribes were relatively small; now, we have a global community where many are hurting. When we respond, we engage in a healing process that gives us a sense of purpose. As you said, “service brings happiness.”
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Hum, dreams lead to responsibility? i’d rather they be for an escape. 🙂
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I think you have the right of it – they are an escape. An escape from mediocrity. I think that you have escaped a long time ago…you are the antithesis of mediocrity, my dear friend.
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LOL ! You think? Must have been all those hours I spent as a child playing with myself and my statue breyer horses. I invented all sorts of stories for them.
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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Love this post and the comments. Everything is relative isn’t it.
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Thank you! Yes, everything is relevant. Today, when I went for my walk, I met an elderly woman using a walker. She was acting on her dream – to climb a slight incline up to the grocery store. When she gave me a brilliant smile, I was humbled by her kind and generous spirit. I can walk now, but there will come a time when I will have her dream.
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That’s such a brilliant example, thank you.
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🙂
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We owe it to each other to add value; that’s why we’re all here!
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Very well said! When we add value to one, we add value to the many. It is a compounding factor…
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