Have you ever heard the poem, "Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes? If you are or are not familiar with the poem, he asks the question of what happens to a dream that has been put off - postponed for a later time? Do those dreams ever get reached or accomplished, or do they just fade away with time? Do you have any dreams like that? Things that you wanted to pursue but somehow it was never the right time. Well, let me tell you, the time is 'NOW'! Take those dreams and ambitions off the shelf, dust them off and make them a reality. Not pursuing them is only doing a disservice to you. There is no telling what you can do or achieve when you take hold of your dreams and become steadfast about pursuing them.

Dreams add vigor and zeal to life. They take the dullness and monotony that everyday life seems to bring. One can rest peacefully knowing that they have that special dream that they want to pursue and that they are on their way to making things happen. Never let anyone talk you out of doing those things you really want to do. If you have negative friends, dump them. They will only hinder you on your path to success and personal growth. People who are complacent in their simple, mundane lives don't know what to do with those people who step out of the norm. Never let others hold you back with their negativity. Why do you think the focus is always on celebrities? Because they are just that. We celebrate them for their vast accomplishments. These are people who stepped out of the norm and pursued their dreams and ambitions, and we admire them for that. They are not your everyday 'Joes'. They are super-achievers.

What do you want to achieve? Your dream may be starting a business, pursuing a new hobby or just losing that extra 20 pds that you gained over the summer or the holidays. Freud believed that dreams are expressions of unfulfilled wishes and desires. In an article that I read by Stacy Cilleci, she says that 'your dreams and fantasies can help you plan your life five or even ten years from now and you can use your dreams to strengthen your inner self. She also advises that 'when life seems too stressful to handle, close your eyes and let your mind take you to a place where you can relax and fantasize'. During this time of dreaming and fantasizing, she says that 'you can focus on anything you want, including making goals for yourself on how you are going to live the rest of your life. It is important that you always dream about positive things. Do not think negatively or feel sorry for yourself. Look at yourself as a fighter and an achiever. Do not let anything get in your way'.

What wishes and desires do you have that you want to see fulfilled? Remember, they won't happen on their own. If you are waiting for that special opportunity to come your way, stop waiting because chances are that it may not ever happen. You must go after them, and make them happen. I have many dreams, and I am on my way to living my dreams. Are you? We only have one life to live and should use the life that God gave us to our fullest. We must keep the momentum going.

Finally, I will leave you with a quote from Robert Conklin, who wrote the book "Think Yourself to the Riches of Life", he says 'dreams get you into the future while adding excitement to the present'. They really do, don't they? So, again I ask, what has happened to your dream? Langston Hughes asked 'What happens do a dream deferred; does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or, fester like a sore and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat, or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load, or does it explode????? Have you now found your dream deferred? Are you on the road to your destiny which lies ahead? Remember, that when you dream - dream big, and as you dream so shall you become!

About the Author

An aspiring writer and entrepreneur, De'Borah loves all of the fine arts from listening to classical music to interior design. She resides in Birmingham, AL and owns Design Your Own Destiny, an inspirational website of encouragement and life experiences. She loves telling people that all of their dreams can come true - if they only believe in themselves, God and their dreams.