“Living the dream.” If you haven’t heard this saying before I personally got it from the military. It’s typically a semi-sarcastic response to someone asking, “how’s it going?” or “how are you doing?” While we’re in the midst of a field exercise, muddy, tired, and haven’t showered for a few days. The best response we can come up with to a question like that is, “Living the dream!”
I stopped using the phrase after I got out of the Army. I stopped doing a lot of things to help myself fully separate from the military, but that’s a conversation for another day. After almost a decade of not using the phrase I ended up picking it up again last year some time. I’m not sure why, it just sort of happened. I said it a few times, got a few laughs, and started to wonder, “Am I telling the truth?”
As you likely know, most people when ask, “how’s it going?” or “how are you doing”, lie to you. The typical response is, “good”, “ok”, “great”, “not bad”, etc. When in reality they’re thinking to themselves, “miserable”, “overwhelmed”, “tired”, “distracted”, etc.
“Am I also lying to people?”
So, I asked myself, “Am I also lying to people?” Am I lying to people when I tell them, “Living the dream”?
I believe God creates these moments to give you an opportunity to reflect on where you have been and where you’re going. We get so lost in our work and the general busyness of the day-to-day that we forget where we started. We forgot what our goals were last year let alone 10 years ago. He’s for us; not against us, and we often need a reminder of that. I believe these questions He poses to us helps to remind us of that.
As I thought about that question I was reminded of my time in the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), e.g. Special Forces training. Throughout the course of your training you do a ton of walking; so there’s a ton of opportunity for reflection. My thoughts were fixated on, “What do I want out of this life?”
“What do I want out of this life?”
I was selected for Special Forces and didn’t have a burning desire to pursue it. I went through selection to see if I could do it. It was an amazing experience; again a conversation for another time. But, when I returned I was that hyped up about going on to become a Green Beret. However, some friends talked me into it. What tipped me over was the statement that other people did not have the opportunity that I did, and if I were to deny that opportunity it was a slap in their face. I still don’t disagree with that thought or the decision I made to go for it. It was a once in the lifetime opportunity at an age where mistakes are not only expected but welcomed.
With this in mind I was curious, “What do I want out of this life?” I began day dreaming of 2 kids, a wonderful wife and a white picket fence. I dreamt of a family. I dreamt of the family I have today. I don’t have a white picket fence, nor do I want one. But I have a wonderful wife and two amazing kids. God has blessed me with my dream. He delivered even before I knew Him.
So, if you ask me today, “How’s it going?” and I respond with, “Living the dream!” I mean it. I am living the dream!
I am living the dream!
So, let’s camp out on this for just a moment. What does “living the dream” mean for you? Your dream will obviously be much different than mine, but we both must ensure we are focused a dream. It’s easy to be distracted by things that are not our dream like work, hobbies, etc… We often have to recenter ourselves on our dreams.
So, what is your dream? Are you living it? If not, why not? If so, have you forgotten it?