I found it hard not to engage in my own inner chatter..."Am I just crazy?" "Do normal people not think this way?" I continued trying to explain to a group of people my vision. "Am Ijust plain abnormal?" Well, clearly.... right? And why am I wanting to be "normal" again?
One woman in particular, though polite, reinforced by own insecurities. She adeptly maintained a puzzled and confused look on her face for much of the meeting. Her jaw hung directly in front of me and she looked lost, perplexed. I imagined her asking, "Why am I here?" Her face read in 3D and surround sound: "I do not get it. I do not approve. This makes no sense to me!"
Now hear my inner voice: "Here's a smart woman, and if SHE doesn't get it, and I can't explain it so she does, maybe I'm not OK!"
Continuing inner voice:"Maybe there's something just wrong. Wrong with my idea. Wrong with my dream. Wrong with me!"
I think of the words from the Grinch as it applied to me:
Oh, please don't ask why, no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
Finally, in one last attempt to explain the vision, I wrote it up on a whiteboard. I stood back. "Does this make any sense?" "Any sense?" Totally expecting a confused chorus of "No, not really!" I experienced just the opposite. VERY unexpectedly, this woman leaned forward. Her face lit up. "Oh my gosh! Now I understand!" she exclaimed. "This is absolutely brilliant! It's just brilliant!" She began clapping her hands. And milliseconds later, the others even joined her!
I felt like Vincent Van Gogh, chopped ear in hand, shocked and dumbfounded that my art was seen as anything but blurry mess! "Brilliant??"
Of course, most people will NOT understand our dreams, visions or cutting new ideas! It's too much work for them. Too confusing. Too different from their own dreams. And we may be left wondering if they think we're brainless. But, every once in a while, if we do not give up, we get the gift of others who "get it." And even better... the gift of others who will join us in turning a dream into reality!
Of course, if you have a dream, a vision, a deep desire, most will think you are brainless and a bit removed from reality at times. And you are! That's why its your dream! They may call you "dreamer." "Different." "Odd." "Weird." They will look puzzled and disapproving.
Don't quit. It may just be that the greatest breakthrough is closer than you think!
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