Skip to main content

 

≈ Dreams Evolve But Their Meaning Doesn't Diminish ≈

∞ Research Suggests They Help You To Live Longer ∞

“It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old; they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” Gabriel García Márquez

I love quotes like this: pre-packaged, ready-made intriguing conversations presented in a single sentence. This one comes courtesy of Gabriel García Márquez, the author of nearly two dozen books and whose life’s work earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature. If Mr. Márquez were still around, I’d happily buy him a drink - OK, a couple of drinks - in exchange for some time to discuss the word dreams. And to be clear, we’re talking about life dreams, not the kind where you hit a walk-off home run in the World Series only to wake up and find you didn’t.

When you’re young, dreams seem fairly easy to define. As a child, you might dream of becoming an airline pilot, a firefighter, a professional ballplayer or, in my case, a cowboy. (There are pictures.) Please feel free to adjust the dreams for the Generation you belong to. Eventually the dreams take on meaning as they expand into a broader vision of what you hope your life will look like: career, family, and future.

Then you’re not so young and someone suggests to you that dreams still matter. Purpose matters. Having something to look forward to matters. The research doesn’t say, “pursue a dream and you’ll live forever.” It does suggest that lifestyle, physical activity, stress, illness, relationships, and a sense of purpose all play a major role in how well we age, and, not coincidentally, how long we live. Surprisingly these things have considerable influence over our longevity, perhaps even more so than genes. Which makes sense to me. If you genuinely enjoy being here, why wouldn’t your body say, “I’m up for more of this”?

I’ve reached the mid “older older” stage of life. Not so old that people say “WOW!, but old enough to be aware of the years as they go by. To write this I had to think about what dreams could be pursued by me at this point in my life, and the first thing that came to mind was to finish spreading the gravel beside the garden shed. I quickly informed myself that was a chore, not a dream so it didn't count. (I talk to myself often. Some really interesting conversations…) 

Electric Reels for Inshore Fishing

Dreams change as we age, they take on a different purpose. Perhaps it’s traveling, learning to paint, writing the book you’ve talked about for thirty years, volunteering at the local food pantry, becoming the involved grandparent, or creating a peaceful life filled with gardening, walking, reading, and time with friends. These are not smaller dreams. They're simply age-appropriate.

Márquez wasn’t proposing that pursuing dreams is some magical anti-aging formula. What he reminds us is that while growing older is inevitable, how we approach it is a choice. Dreams keep us engaged with life. They create purpose. Purpose creates activity. And activity enriches our life and seems to help us live longer. It’s a pretty simple formula.

So what are my dreams these days? Much less complex than they once were. Appreciate life because the clock only ticks in one direction. Spend time with family and old friends. Keep learning, writing, gardening, and walking in the woods. Travel a bit, help people when I can. And mostly to wake up with something I genuinely want to do alongside the person I most want to do it with.

That sounds like a pretty good dream to me.

*For the record, my qualifications for writing on this topic include being old, watching a ton of YouTube videos, asking AI far too many questions, reading a slew of articles, and, my opinion. None of these should be relied upon...

Cool Raised Garden Beds

Reminder - If you click on a product link in any of our Blogs and make a purchase you’ll be buying directly from that store and we may receive a commission on that transaction. The purchase price isn't affected and the store will be responsible for all things involved in that order.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome to the New Amtify™ 〰 Thirteen years ago, Amtify™ began with a simple goal: to offer quality products that you need in life. We've served over 150,000 customers and followers who value not just what’s in the box, but what it brings to their lives. Now, we’re evolving. Now, we’re evolving. Our focus is shifting from selling products directly to curating experiences and recommendations. We'll still offer products, but your purchases through our site will happen via “ Affiliate Relationships .” That means if you click a product link in our blogs and make a purchase, you’ll buy directly from that store — and we’ll receive a commission, at no cost to you, we're just part of their marketing budget. We’ve also redefined what Amtify™ stands for. This change isn’t just cosmetic — it’s foundational. We're committed to supporting a lifestyle centered around mindfulness , peace, and doing things that bring purpose. What That Means for You  We’re building our new identity aro...
Post a Comment
Read more
Gardening for Fun, Not for Profit. Gardening isn’t about perfection, it’s about joy. I don’t consider myself a “Gardener” with a capital G. I just garden. That distinction matters. This isn’t about plant contests or botanical precision. It’s about getting your hands dirty, enjoying the sun, and smiling when your first tomato or flower appears. The key is to keep it fun, not stressful. You’re not doing this for profit or perfection. You’re doing it to relax, connect, and care for something that gives back in its own time. Sure, some veggies or blooms may get eaten by deer or rabbits. That’s nature. Don’t let it ruin the experience. Try “resistant” plants, use sprays, or plant things animals don’t like. Fencing can work too, but unless your garden is compact, it can become more hassle than it’s worth. I also spray my hat with insect repellant and  use this neck fan to not only keep me cool, but to keep the mosquitoes at bay. And no, I’m not a gardening expert. I’m not giving formulas...
Post a Comment
Read more
  Walking the Loop: A Daily Ritual I walk every day. Almost. Sometimes I don’t feel like it—but my dog always does. We’ve got a deal: one walk a day, at least 60 minutes. Two routes keep things fresh. One winds through deep, rugged woods. The other is paved—woods, but with asphalt. Yes, it sounds wrong. Paved woods? Not quite natural, but practical. My dog still gets to chase squirrels, and I get steady footing. No mud, no twisted ankles. We both win. Why Walk? Why Every Day? It’s on my daily list. That list keeps me focused—and gives me the good feeling of crossing things off. Walking is a promise I keep to myself, and to my dog. We’re both committed. I hold the leash, she holds me accountable. The Woods Are the Reward The backtrails are a different world. They demand attention—navigating roots, hopping rocks, ducking partially fallen trees. They focus the mind. The silence is broken only by the sound of my steps, the rustling leaves, some distant birdsong, or the sudden bolt of ...
Post a Comment
Read more