I was chatting with one of the teachers today about the general idea that students in Maine lack the ability to think big, and think outside the state; he said they aspire only to a certain level then stop, almost as though Maine’ers are capped at a certain potential level of ‘success’ while others states like New Jersey for instance send loads of students to the best universities and the best sport teams. He said they just need some students to break the mold and show that it is possible to think big and go far. And I agree fully, it is important to dream, and important to set goals, but I think it is a little more complex than that, and I think it is why I have a problem with much of the self help and positive thinking movement. Will every student who dreams of becoming a pro athlete do so; no. Will every student who aspires to become a rock star do so; no. How about become a movie star, or make the cut at a top university; no. So are they unsuccessful? Absolutely not!! So I think we must be careful at how we motivate and pump up our youth.

The real issue is when students become attached, or obsessed with reaching one of these goals, and invests their entire self interest in the achievement of that specific outcome. A common example of that might be American college football. The pressure these young students are put under, and put themselves under is enormous.

Last night I watched the documentary “Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama”, and one of the last things he said applies well to this issue. He said the following words with a lighthearted giggle:

“As a Buddhist monk, so now my real wish is, I wish to remain in a remote area, like a wounded animal, and all the energy, all the time, concentrate on spiritual practice. And use my brain maximum way in spiritual field, without much expectation, if too much expectation, then last day I may regret.” 

So yes, dream, set goals, reach for the stars, the possibilities are endless; so head out on this journey, but do it without much expectation, or in other words, without attachment to a desired outcome.