Dream the Impossible Dream

Everyone dreams of acheiving goals. Immigrants who come to America have the American dream of rising out of poverty by being successful in education and career. Little boys and girls have dreams of being the first astronauts on Mars. Everyone with talent who goes to Hollywood or Nashville dreams of becoming a star.

However, whether they reach a star or become a star, they soon find that their realized dream doesn't satisfy them. As Omraam said in A Living Book: Autobiographical Reflections 1, "Since experience shows us that, once attained, the goal that seemed so important no longer holds much interest for us, we must look for what cannot be found, pursue the ungraspable and aim for the impossible; in this way we will always be kept in suspense and alive. As we follow this path, we will experience all the riches we long for. That is why Jesus also said, 'Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.'"

My father-in-law was a Lutheran minister and sought God and his kingdom all his life. He also was a good singer and actor and loved to play Don Quixote in The Man of La Mancha and sing "To Dream the Impossible Dream." He sang it with such passion perhaps because he realized this truth that the meaning of life is found in the chivalric quest, in seeking that which is unreachable. Mars is reachable but the star at the center of the universe, the Great Central Sun, is unreachable, yet the soul yearns to reach it. And in that yearning, it finds it within.

Those who dream the impossible dream, who strive all their lives to reach the unreachable star will find that their hearts will be peaceful and calm when they're laid to rest, as the song goes. And the world will be better for it, for their striving. So dream the impossible dream, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and find it within.