Dreams of Fame
I have often dreamed of a far off place
Where a hero's welcome would be waiting for me
Where the crowds would cheer, when they see my face
And a voice keeps saying this is where I'm meant to be
…sings Michael Bolton in his song featured in Disney’s 1997 fairy tale, ‘Hercules.’
Many times, just before I drift off to sleep, I find myself daydreaming about the splendid future that awaits me. In my reverie, I envision myself as a renowned writer, with millions of followers on my social media accounts. At author events, hundreds of people hang on to my every word as I recite excerpts from my freshly published books, forming a lengthy queue for autographs on copies purchased on the day of their release. In my mind, I meticulously picture every detail, from the attire I’m wearing to the shade of lipstick on my lips. I can hardly wait for this to become a reality, and as I gradually slip into slumber, I cherish these wonderful moments from my future life.
I'll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way if I can be strong
I know every mile would be worth my while
When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong
When I’m tired and every day feels challenging, I remind myself that this is my path, and I must summon the strength, courage, and determination because I know that what awaits me at the finish line is worth every drop of sweat, and sometimes even tears. In each of my articles, I emphasize that success is not achieved overnight. Success is the result of our consistent actions over an extended period, eventually leading us to victory. Systematic action is the key here, with a consistent schedule of actions aimed at our goals, which is necessary to fulfill our dreams. However, it was only after several years of working with a well-thought-out calendar, in which I scheduled daily tasks to bring me closer to my goals, that I truly grasped the significance of this approach. It turns out that a daily schedule and daily rituals enable us not only to work towards our future but also to fully embrace the present, which is desired by many as ‘here and now.’
Thanks to a well-developed plan and systematic, repetitive activities, we become familiar with their course. Knowing what comes next allows us to focus on the present moment and experience it fully, as we’re not constantly thinking about ‘what to do next.’ In my e-book, ‘Organize Your Life,’ I discuss the importance of planning even seemingly mundane activities, such as personal hygiene. Without going into extensive detail, which spans several pages, the repetition of processes during, for example, a shower enables us to focus on the present moment, feeling the water flowing down our bodies, the scent of the shower gel, and the warmth on our skin. In contrast, when we’re in the shower, our thoughts often drift to the following day and creating lists of tasks. The schedule is not meant to create a new obsession or area of control but to help us avoid a constant race of thoughts.
Organize your life.
The first publication in the Untold product series, created to share methodology for organizing everyday life, cultivating systematic discipline, and developing proper habits. Drawing from the author's experience, knowledge, beliefs, and commonly available coaching tools, she aims to inspire you to take action and present you with a straightforward approach to achieving fulfillment and building self-esteem. Written in a simple way, it contains examples from everyday life, practical tips, exercises, and beautiful graphics. Available in e-book and audiobook.
While reading Eckhart Tolle’s ‘The Power of the Present,’ I gained an understanding of our ‘restless mind’ and the daily sense of dissatisfaction, lack, and emptiness we experience in the ‘now,’ which leads us to focus on ‘I will be’ instead of ‘I am.’ The ego, which opposes our true self, gives us a false sense of self-worth and security. It develops as we receive feedback from our environment that we are insufficient. The stream of thoughts is directly related to our ego – we ponder about ‘what if’ things were better, ‘what if’ we had given a better response, and we imagine an ideal future. We become prisoners of our intellect. We constantly desire more, aiming for improvement and perfection, and we identify with the false image in our minds. Evaluating and judging thoughts are products of the ego, whereas thoughts without judgment are tools of our mind and are closely connected to our ego.
Being ‘here and now’ entails recognizing who we are and what the truth represents. We must utilize our minds as tools for living in the present. The key is to learn to silence our racing thoughts, and we can achieve this through planning, creating a schedule, while always remembering that the ultimate goal is to exist in the ‘now.’
When our self-confidence grows, our ego hungers for future perfection. We sense ‘lack’ when we pause, and it’s the ego’s role to divert us from this uncomfortable feeling of lack. Consequently, we experience a flurry of thoughts and tasks, concentrating on external accomplishments and activities. True fulfillment only arises when we are present, in the now, allowing us to draw from within. You may not fully comprehend it with your mind, although I strive to explain it 😛; you can feel it, but the fullness of existence is only realized when we quiet our restless minds. At that moment, we feel that we possess everything and need nothing because we are whole in ourselves. The ego craves excess, while the true self is minimalist, sufficient, and complete without excess.
Ewa Baszun and I delve into this topic in one of the episodes on our youtube channel, and you can watch it below.
But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero's strength is measured by his heart, oh
As a youth, Hercules was different from other teenagers. He was not socially accepted and was considered a freak, a rarity of nature. From this lack of acceptance and the trauma of rejection, a profound need for belonging emerged, and his ego generated an even stronger desire for fame and recognition. Thoughts raced through his mind about the allure of fame – to be praised, applauded, appreciated, and loved. It wasn’t until the conclusion of his journey that he experienced enlightenment and understood the true essence of his aspirations. He realized that the strength of a hero resides in the heart, and that glory is unnecessary. Even when he had it, he still felt emptiness and scarcity. It was only then that he comprehended the real meaning of being a true hero.
The story is a wonderful fairy tale that touches upon dreams, the search for one’s own path, love, and acceptance. However, as I grow older and my mind occasionally fixates on the idea of fame, I no longer view it merely as an exceptional piece of cinematography. Instead, I see it as a reflection of myself in the mirror, prompting me to question the extent of ego within me and how often I am truly ‘here and now.’ How about your ego and dreams?
Organize your life.
The first publication in the Untold product series, created to share methodology for organizing everyday life, cultivating systematic discipline, and developing proper habits. Drawing from the author's experience, knowledge, beliefs, and commonly available coaching tools, she aims to inspire you to take action and present you with a straightforward approach to achieving fulfillment and building self-esteem. Written in a simple way, it contains examples from everyday life, practical tips, exercises, and beautiful graphics. Available in e-book and audiobook.
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