Castles in the Air – March 12, 2000
Great accomplishments almost always begin as simple ideas that we nourish in daydreams, until they blossom into action and make our visions a reality. Often our hopes and dreams are what keep us going: marching through snow during wartime, punching a time clock in a factory, struggling to overcome injuries. All tasks are made easier by keeping our eye on a glorious goal—freedom, food and clothing for one’s family, physical survival. The prospect of a brighter tomorrow gives us renewed vigor for our tasks and strengthens our commitment.
But what about those dreams that are never followed by the work required to make them come true? Many of us conjure up images of prosperity, admiration, great deeds, and easier living. But how useless is much of our imagining if we don’t take the action necessary to reach our goals.
William George Jordan described such rosy fantasies as castles in the air and said: “Living in an air-castle is about as profitable as owning half interest in a rainbow. . . . The air-castle represents the work of an architect without a builder.”1 Such dreams without follow-through lull us into complacency. Many of us believe we’ll change for the better when our ship comes in. We’ll give up bad habits when we’re older. We’ll be generous with our money, someday.
To dream great dreams is good, but only if followed by a plan of action—building upon our blueprints. If we envision ourselves as noble philanthropists, we can begin now to donate to charities. If we wish to gain the esteem of our fellow man, we can earn it today by performing selfless gestures of goodwill. If it’s freedom from debt that we imagine, we can begin today to spend less and live within our means.
Dreamers who bring their desires within reach are the folks who stop waiting for endless tomorrows and roll up their sleeves to work today. They’ve learned that someday never comes; there’s only today.
Program #3682
1. William George Jordan, The Power of Truth, printed at Barlsfield, London, SW, and published in London. Copyright owned by Deseret Book Company and Heber J. Grant.