Straight from the Narwhal's Mouth - July

The Dreaming Narwhal

--- Steven Albers 

     
     What happened to those ridiculous, yet somehow fantastic dreams we used to have as kids? Remember when your biggest worry was whether or not you’d be getting Baskin Robbins after soccer practice, and when you always dreamed of the day you’d finally get that holographic Arcanine Pokemon card after spending so much of your (read: your parents’) money getting nothing but Spearows? Why did the times have to change so much as we got older?

     As we slowly make our way into Corporate America, it seems that all our prior hopes and dreams are getting kicked to the curb. Especially when all you hear as a kid is “follow your dreams, Francesca!”, it’s kind of earth-shattering when you come to the realization that you’re never going to win the Nobel Peace Prize for making Gummi Bears a healthy and nutritious snack. Chances are that most of us won’t come close to the lofty standards held by our 9 year old counterparts, so why do we insist on imparting these unrealistic goals on those yet to experience life?

     Practically every Disney movie since Fun and Fancy Free makes dreams a major plot element and/or places emphasis on the dreams of its primary characters. I’m sure this is to cater to younger audiences, but most of those characters’ dreams are really simple and straightforward, save for some odd villain here or there. Honestly, I’d have no qualms whatsoever if all I ever wanted was to see some floating lanterns on my birthday. But then again I wasn’t oppressed by my 1000 year old mother in the world’s first skyscraper, and I have cut my hair at least once... Maybe that explains why it doesn’t glow and cure all illnesses when I sing anymore.

     Seriously though, in hindsight it’s a little saddening when I look back and see all those things I wanted to be, and to realize once again that the creative, infinitely hopeful dream gland I once had has devolved into something much more realistic. And yet, I don’t regret for a second ever dreaming that big. Who knows? Maybe one of those dreams will come in handy someday.

     Of course, life gets more and more terrible as we get older, but there’s no point in frowning at yourself through the looking glass (Wow, lots of Disney references today). Frankly, as children we need to experience that side of adventure and conquest, since we’ll have much bigger issues to face later on. One can almost say that a child with an active imagination is “living” before living (Tread carefully on those words, though; you’ll hit a certain point that the older you get, the more destructive living in your imagination becomes. But it’s totally fine - and actually recommended - as a kid). 

     Always hold on to some of your childhood dreams. Whether or not they become everything you ever wanted, remember that they once gave you the hope that keeps you moving forward today.

P.S. That’s a Meet the Robinsons reference up there, not Toyota. If you haven’t noticed, I’m feeling pretty Disney right now.