Living the Dream!

When I’m asked how I’m doing, my most common response is, “I’m living the dream!” I can’t say exactly when I started with the response, who inspired me to use it, or where it came from. All I can say is that the more I say it, the more purposeful it becomes.

What surprises me though is the responses I get when I articulate those simple words. Snickers, silence, disbelief and sometimes flat out sarcasm are common; mostly neutral, sometimes negative, but not very often positive.

This saddens me, because I am living the dream.

Does it mean I’m always on cloud 9? Nope.

Does it mean I’m the happiest guy on earth? Nope.

Does it mean I’m on easy street? Nope.

Does it mean I have bad days? Yup.

Does it mean I’m tired? Yup.

Does it mean I get frustrated? Yup.

I don’t say I’m living the dream because my life is perfect. I say that I’m living the dream because I get to control. I don’t get to control the world, but I get to control how I respond to the world.

It’s not about just looking for the good and ignoring the bad. It’s about reflecting, responding, and shaping the future. And when it comes to shaping the future, I want my future to be my dream and not my nightmare.

We don’t get to control everything, but we do get to control some things. I don’t want to dwell in the present, I want to do what I can to shape the future.

If you run into me on the street and hear me saying, “I’m living the dream.” Don’t dismiss it. Reflect on it and act to shape your future into your dream.

If you’re not ready to completely embrace the dream, try this instead: Don’t try to have a great day, try to make a great day. What do you really have to lose?