Everyone has a dream.

Whether they believe it or not is the true question.

Business as usual will not result in dreams becoming reality. A change must come to produce what has never been produced. What has always been done is not enough to accomplish new and ambitious goals. Every great achievement in human history was preceded by a belief followed by hard work in the pursuit of success.

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream and was willing to risk his own life to motivate America to live the truth of its creed. These United States of America are better because of the life he led and the inspiration he provided generations. His level of bravery was of the highest order. It is one thing to dream, but quite another to believe in spite of the shadow of doubt and walk towards the light to fruition. Everyone dreams yet a criminally low number of us see those dreams as more — a future awaiting our confident and unwavering pursuit.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dreams vary in size but they all require our faith in their certainty and our audacity to believe they can be fulfilled. Dreams of a better nation require us all to walk together in the truth we wish to see. Dreams of a better self require a change in habits and mindset. Dreams of creation — art, business, non-profit, etc. — require determination and execution. Self-doubt and fear of failure must continuously be engulfed in the flames of our faith. I say continuously because we are human and we will falter. However, we possess the ability to rise above and beyond.

Our individual dreams may not be as grand as others’, past or present, but that does not make them any less valid. We must focus on the joy of a righteous pursuit, a love of the process of growth, and the promise of future fulfillment. We must work to live the dream expressed by Dr. King as well as our individual dreams that speak to the purpose of our existence.

~b.