Kind of the opposite to what we hear in motivational videos, right? But today, I was chilling, watching a movie after a long time, following it up with an OTT episode, and finally a stream of short movies. What surprised me was that one short movie, which showed the actor pursuing his dream of becoming a dancer, but dedicating his time to making new cakes to save his grandma’s bakery shop.

Now, I am aware almost all adults go through this phase. They feel like they were meant for something different, but end up doing something else or even mundane to pay the bills. Some shoulder the responsibility their family bestow upon them or leave them to do. They go silent, suppress their dream, and live on, not thinking much about it.

Here’s something interesting: like the actor, why not do both? You can have a job, but if you are really invested emotionally in your dream, don’t kill it. Find some way to survive with it, and keep it in your life. That’s what makes you interesting. I know a group of mainly orthopedic surgeons who are a Bangla music band performing all over India, and they do it despite their job demands. But most of them find a common time to practice and make it to the tour.

You don’t have to really kill your dream. There are many people I know who sing or dance or even recite poetry on the stage while doing service, or an IT job, or being involved in a skill-based profession. Some people get stuck in a menial occupation, and might not find time, but there is always an off day. Where there is a will, there is a way.

I love to write. Granted, I don’t find the time to do it regularly as before, but that doesn’t mean I will leave it and everything else for my job. A job is a job to sustain your lifestyle, that’s it. And the better you are at it, the greater your lifestyle becomes. Maybe you help out your spouse, family, and clients with it too. But keeping some time to do for what you really love, helps. Once upon a time, I wanted to be a professional freelance writer. The reality is that you have to know a lot of the right people and a lot of skills to get big in that field in India. Maybe I had neither, and never will. But it’s always going to be one of my dreams.

Not all dreams need to be achieved. After all, I achieved my other dreams of becoming financially independent, living in a place I always admired, and still in close proximity to my family. I am happy. And if I do not give up on my unfulfilled dream, maybe someday that can be fulfilled too. But it doesn’t HAVE to be my job. Choosing both my dream and my job is an option, there need not be any conflict.

The actor found happiness when all the clients loved his handmade cake, their patterns, and new tastes. Even his dancer friends were in awe of him. Praises and appreciation surrounded him for doing a job that he just HAD TO DO, for his family. His grandma said, “You can go and practice your dance, don’t worry. I won’t sell the shop. But don’t give up on your dream”. He replied, “My dream doesn’t have to be my job, grandma.” It was just beautiful and hit me right in the heart. The short movie ended with him dancing to the music in bliss while at the same time making cakes in his newly opened organic bakery. I felt I had to write this today, so here I am, finding time in the midst of my job!

Cheers, and have a great Sunday!