When your heart burns, ask yourself, What if this is all there is? Right now, what if all that you have -- where you work, where you live (whether you are single, married, or in between), what car you drive, the car that's in the shop, your bus ticket, your bathtub, this sky, these stars -- what if it is all that you will ever have? What if you'll never be able to fix that hole in the wall? What if you are sitting on millions, but you are always alone? What if this is all there is? Is this acceptable?
Yes, "they" say.
It has to be, because in this moment, this is reality. One can accept it or feel utterly defeated. Which one to choose today? Choose to live inside a world of frustration or do the best damn job while cleaning disgusting feed buckets. Speedily shop for the woman who lives on mansion hill. Maybe fingernails and palms are black. Suit up, show up, do the best job, right? In this moment, that is all one can do. Is this acceptable?
Fuck no, I say.
Because, there is more. Dream like a fire tearing through kindling. Dream like a warrior heading home to see the child he's never seen. Dream like a girl sitting in her closet, waiting for that one phone call. Dream like no one has ever dreamt before. Dream that motherfucker who told you not to dream will take a cross country trip and learn how to dream himself. When your heart burns, ask it where it wants to go. Dream like a windstorm ripping through the tallest trees, and know that each step you take is closer to this dream coming true. Work hard. And dream that true love is coming, because magic makes you feel alive, and life is too short to feel any. other. way.
I see my church – hawks and stars.
And then make sure that the feed buckets are spotless, and the order is perfect, because you'll want to leave a trace, a footprint, and a closing scene when you do this -- walk out the door and head for the sky.
C.A. MacConnell
