A while back, I heard a speaker share three questions that are supposed to help you figure out your purpose in life. I can't remember his name or the first two questions. But I remember the last: "What breaks your heart?" I felt like the answer was supposed to be about children or animals or climate change or something grand and global like that. But after some reflection, I had to admit that I'm a little more selfish than that. What breaks my heart is the idea of a life not fully lived. And not just my own. So when people tell me about something they dream of doing, I believe them. And I want it for them. And I really care whether they do it or not. So I'll make some suggestions. And I'll offer some help if I can. And I'll ask how it's going in a month. And in two months. And in six months. And after a year, when it comes up in conversation again and I hear that glorious dream being pulled off the back burner and boxed up for good, it breaks my heart. Sometimes, I think, more than theirs.
Every now and then, I tell myself to just back off and leave people alone. Let everyone have their dreams and do with them what they will–or won't. But damn it, I just can't help myself. So just know this. If you tell me you want to do something, I'm going to take your word for it. And I'm going to push. And pressure. And it may get really annoying. But I promise, it's only because I care. And I hope you care enough to do the same.