"God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow in them." Author Unknown
The question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" is oft overused, but its symbolism chases us through time. For those who are not embracing their true passions the question haunts them. I know this because it haunted me for years. I was living other people's dreams. I was denying my own truth. I was lost.
Then one day it all changed. I no longer felt lost.
Today I can gratefully say I am doing what I wanted to do when I grew up. And when I meet people who are doing the same it inspires me.
I recently met one such man. A man who, by chance, realized that what he was doing with his life was not fulfilling his dreams. Or his soul. So he became a man who had the courage to find a new path and become what he had always dreamt of being. Someone who created a life for himself out of nothing. That man is John Millios.
Now I hear you mutter, "Who is John Millios and why should I read the rest of this post about a man I don't even know?" Well, the answer is simple: John's life and decision to embark on a career in photography is the perfect example of someone living their truth. It is a story of someone who created a life for himself. On his own terms.
I often find that too many of us plod through our lives failing to fully grasp the greatness we possess. This greatness lies within us all. I don't mean that to be great we have to save the world like Winston Churchill or create flight like the Wright brothers. To me, simple greatness is living out our dreams and, in the process, being of service to others.
What struck me about John was his uncanny ability to capture the soul of my beloved dog Winston. I felt that this ability to create a connection between owner and pet was truly amazing. It literally brought tears to my eyes. This is the greatness that John possesses, an ability to create connection through his art.
Again, we all have gifts. We all have paths that are perfectly laid out for us. Yet too many of us lose our way. We get distracted and end up suffering for our own lack of imagination and clarity. If you are doing what you wanted to do when you grew up then consider yourself lucky. Not because you are one of the lucky few who have stumbled across your dreams but because you are one of the lucky ones that followed your true path. This is where the magic is.
I think Winston is happy that John found his true path.
Leon Logothetis