In Defense of the 2014 Dream
John Lennon struck a chord when he sang, “you may say I’m a dreamer, well, I’m not the only one”. And he was right. To be human is to dream — and to want to bring our dreams to life. Dreamers, though, have gotten a bad rap. Our antagonists would have the world believe that those who imagine a better, more inclusive and peaceful world are ethereal beings, idle wanderers, and lost souls.
It’s a myth that dreamers are incapable of rationality and lost in the elusive. Both rationality and imagination are behind every brush stroke of Mona Lisa’s smile, and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. They have connected – beautifully – in the pen strokes of Shakespeare, in the musical notes of Mozart, and in the inventive genius of men like Isaac Newton and Bill Gates. Every human being has the potential to share this duality. We are, as a species, gifted with complexity, and a desire to know the divine.
It’s a new election season in America, and on the heels of disaster, the possibility of change sparks both our imaginations and our desire for a more rational world. Is it possible, we ask, to heal the wounds of people and the rift between nations? Is it possible to overcome the well-oiled machine that has sanctioned the rule of morally bankrupt and intellectually empty leaders? Can the voices of reason and possibility rise above the rallying cries of war and more war?
Despite those who would suggest otherwise, it was dissent against rigid dogmas, and not religious fervor, that informed every word of our Declaration of Independence. And then, as now, the authors of a new age seek both a dream and an absolute. The dream is peaceful progress and the building of a nation where every human being has the opportunity to reach their highest potential. The absolute is never again. Never again can we allow the want of revenge to override reason. Never again can we stand idly while politicians and big corporations sink our country into the morass of corruption and the swamp of endless debt.
When our highest dreams and most rational actions are joined, we may overcome not just the stalemate of political divisions, but other social issues.
Presently, over 500,000 children live in the limbo of foster care. I can imagine a day when the most innocent and vulnerable among us are truly protected, not just in a time of crisis, but for the duration of their childhoods. When the “best interests of the child” is a promise fulfilled, and where a child’s right to live in safety, without fear, is considered paramount.
I imagine a world in which every child is given multiple and varied opportunities to find, nurture, and expand their potential, and where doing so is not a luxury, but a given. I believe that if we were truly motivated to nurture the best within our children, we would find many more Galileos in our midst. Einsteins and Kings, Van Goghs and O’Keefes, and yes, Barack Obamas.
In a country that sought to revitalize the rational-imaginative minds of its people, we might see a final end to discrimination. We might see a day when false limitations are universally known and believed to be false – and where character really is the ultimate determinant of one’s opportunities.
I can envision a time when rational tolerance is practiced. When the steady progression of humankind is the goal of all cultures, including the cultures of the traditionalists and the devoutly religious.
Religion and tradition should not be used as justification for stunting the evolution of humanity, or as an excuse for denying the inherent right of others to liberty and freedom. No God or other high-minded entity would have us mutilate the genitals of little girls, rape women, or slay, torture, or starve thousands of people in order to advance a political, religious, or cultural agenda. To live in a world where even one act of such violence is considered unavoidable, or par for the course, is to have twisted the noble concept of tolerance into soulless apathy.
Humanity is not soulless, but our challenges are many, our divisions are great, and recent years have discouraged our ideals. So many, reeling from tragedy, or facing a time of personal struggle, are feeling the weight of despair. They may even be afraid to hope for better days, particularly in a climate that has traded rational dreams for ever-deepening political divides – a climate in which war, torture, and death was marketed as a rational response, and those who sought answers and accountability were derided as “bleeding hearts”.
There’s a saying – “we all want to change the world.” Actually, we know that some, particularly those who profit in a time of war and destruction, would like to see it not change at all. Others find change threatening in some fashion.
The dreamers among us move forward, past our fears, because our minds recognize them as unnecessary limitations, and our imagination longs to see what is on the other side. We long to expand the boundaries and break the unnecessary barriers. We long to fill our individual selves with the light of possibility, and then carry that torch to the outside world. We long to create a legion of united individualists, who will stand together and usher in a new age of revitalization, and the reconciliation of our ideals with our everyday realities.
If we can dream it, it is possible. A battle to revitalize the human spirit requires no enemies, and a revolution of peace requires no violence.
If we were to each follow our highest ideals, we would likely find ourselves not divided, but united. Not alone in our idealism, but joined. Not lost in idle dreams, but wholly invested in making them come true. 2014 is only our beginning. Our end is nowhere yet in sight.
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
I loved this blog. It is so true. I am so tired of people telling me that I am a “hippie” or some other term they find derogatory just because I choose to believe we can all get along.
Education that enhances both the rational mind and the imagination and a culture that reinforces both is the key. We need to see life as an ongoing revolution in the sense that we must never stop asking hard questions, seeking solutions, and being willing to sacrifice for the sake of others.
Beautiful, hopeful and eloquent.
It is inevitable that all humanity will be uplifted…spiritually, intellectually, emotionally. The only variable is when. The sooner we each live our ideal in love and understanding, and let our individual lights illuminate the path for others, the sooner that time will come. I am often called a dreamer, Pollyanna, idealistic. I love that.
Hail to the dreamers - there is a reason why the first biracial president will move into the Whitehouse in 2014. He did not get their by listening to skeptics or “realists” who, I’m sure, told him a black man would never be President.
I would rather be an optimist and a dreamer who still believes in possibility. I loved every word and YES - this was full of heart. Not bleeding heart - but heart with wisdom. Very well expressed and uplifting at I time I needed a little boost.
Thank you, seester
xx
AMEN to all that!
This line just brought tears ~quite literally! “If we can dream it, it is possible. A battle to revitalize the human spirit requires no enemies, and a revolution of peace requires no violence.”
Consider yourself HUGGED to pieces!
As usual Jane, you leave nothing unsaid. This was inspiring. Hurrah for 2014.
Thank you.
I am proud to announce that I am dreamer…..and I am in good company because it is the dreamers who make the world a better place!!! Thank you for your inspiring words!!!
John Legend’s “if you’re out there” has been a constant on my playlist this last two weeks. some would find it hopelessly idealistic or sentimental but damn, if those aren’t two of my favorite adjectives….
I read the words of wisdom and hope of dreams and dreamers and they resonate within me, Jane. And it resonates for those of us who share the wisdom and the dreams. And, yes, all IS possible; we’ve all just survived the impossible, haven’t we?
Yet, I can’t help but feel in my re-reading of this posting that all that limits the dreaming, dreamers and dreams are the mentalities of a patriarchy. The forced fears, the zealots, the financial ruination of the masses, the monopolistic practices of the money handlers–are all earmarks of a patriarchy that is in its death throes while the quiet peace of the matriarchy simmers just beneath the poisoned/-ous crust of hatred, greed and corruption.
This is not a condemnation of men–it is the condemnation of the twisted belief system of a false god and those that live it, espouse it and drool it all over the otherwise good peoples who are the dreamers, dream holders and dream makers.
Sweet dreams one and all. Especially you, Jane. You are the voice of our collective unconscious. We are graced by you, your wisdom and your words, as always.
another great post Jane..wonderful, and I can’t help but come back to it and read again…as I dream along with you!
thanks
Listen…can you hear it? it’s the sound of applause! A rising tide of Hope that you clearly have felt and believed and shared with all of us. You words are moving and inspirational, I love my country and her never ending ability to reinvent itself Through her people. Thank you again.
I am reminded of an event recently where I was told I “drank the Kool-Aid” because after the election I said I was very excited and hopeful that Obama and crew could turn things around once sworn into office.
I am a prideful feminist and at first I was upset that a woman could not have been what broke the glass ceiling and made history, and that Barack did not choose Hillary for his running mate. Also I can’t deny that some of his ’spread the wealth’ theories are a little out there from what I can see, BUT why can’t I still rally behind him and HOPE? Isn’t it okay that I jump on the band wagon for a cause greater than me?
All we need is right in front of us if we choose to unite and I will take my Kool-Aid in Orange with ice please!
Hi, Jane … You wrote “There’s a saying – “we all want to change the world.” Actually, we know that some, particularly those who profit in a time of war and destruction, would like to see it not change at all. Others find change threatening in some fashion.”
Indeed, I believe it is those folks, who wish for no change, who will make the biggest fuss as the world and humanity begins its inevitable evolution. I believe they are the majority. Also, I feel the tide of hope rising as you do, but I believe our new President could be cathartic in many ways. Such a wonderous time we live in, wouldn’t you say?
Another wonderful narrative, Jane. I am so glad that your tone has changed for the better, as well. And more, many many countless congratulations on your publications in Hufpo!
D~
Thank you to everyone who commented. I love you people! I often wonder why I blog, but this is it….it’s because there may not be 15 people in and around my immediate life who share the same core convictions, but there are at least 15 or more scattered across the country whom I’ve gotten to know online. It affirms my faith in the goodness of people, even while I’m surrounded by religious dogmatists and narrow-minded people.
Thank you all.