“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” – Randy Pausch
For some reason I’m the type of person to have a lot of quotes laying around. This quote was one of my favorites from Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture. He was a completely amazing person, someone who really inspired me. I watched the speech the other day via YouTube, and a lot of what he talked about I could relate to, but even I don’t know if I could go on like normal in his condition. He was dying but he was happier than the everyday person. Quite interesting.
I’ve had a lot of brick walls throughout my life. I hit some of them hard; some I’ve gotten past. I decided to post this as a reminder to myself and others, that brick walls aren’t bad. Maybe to give myself some hope since a lot of them are popping up lately. Guess they say if you’re doing the right thing you’ll have problems along the way, yeah?
In the past, I’ve used these brick walls as a stepping stone. Every time someone told me I couldn’t do something, I’d keep going until I proved them wrong. I wonder where I’d be today if I would’ve become discouraged by these walls. I might have given up on my dreams; on everything I wanted to accomplish. I think that’s a sorrowful existence. To give up something you might have accomplished, just because a person said “no.”
Looking at children they have so much enthusiasm; they believe they can accomplish anything. Sometimes I envy children, they haven’t experienced many brick walls yet. I also pity them because, when they do encounter those brick walls, some of them will let their dreams go. As for me I tend to stick with my dreams, as stated by Randy Pausch. Imagine if everyone stayed with the same mindset they had as a child, we might have more big accomplishments than we do now! Anything could be possible.
So I encourage everyone to stick to their dreams. Even if someone tells you that you can’t, prove that you can!
I’ve come to think: the more the brick walls the more you’re climbing! So, when i start to feel start at least I can console myself that I have to be heading somewhere worth it
Lovely idea – and the perfect one to share right now. I know we’re all facing a brick wall – whether right in front of our nose, or looming in the distance. (Though some lucky ones have just jumped one!)
Yes, exactly! Something I found even greater than running into brick walls, is that when you reach an open field, one with no walls, you feel invincible. Those walls then begin to push you forward, and whatever you encounter afterwords doesn’t seem as bad.
Great post! Another great saying about brick walls that I keep in mind (I forget who I heard it from) is “Instead of becoming frustrated by trying go through or go over the brick wall, take time to think and find a way around it”.
Instead of giving up or becoming frustrated, take your time, use your imagination and see if there is an alternative way to reach the same place
I like that you mentioned kids, I think it’s really sad that most people lose their ability to access that child like wonder and optimism about the world. Of course the world is a tough place, but it doesn’t have to make use bitter and hard.
It’s important to keep those dreams alive and work towards them slowly and smartly
Thanks for sharing!
Rohan.
That’s a great quote! I think that a lot of people react that way to brick walls, I see a lot of people just give up whenever the going gives tough.
I’ve hit a lot of brick walls, but somehow I just seem to be able to keep my dreams alive. It would be great if others could also do the same. I agree that even though the world may be tough, it shouldn’t shape us into bad people. We can use the bad to make ourselves better!