“What I want in my life
is to be willing
to be dazzled—
to cast aside the weight of facts.”—Mary Oliver
The facts of the dominant paradigm insist you can never write a book, be a comedian, make it as an artist.
But facts are only placeholders until the higher truth emerges. That’s why it’s so important to keep moving towards the “thing” that gives you goose bumps.
Back in February, the Daily Show correspondent Hasan Minhaj gave a show at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kansas.
He told a touching story about his dream to be a comedian. He grew up in a small university town, was a nerd, a smart kid. He studied political science in college. But after seeing Chris Rock’s standup show, “Never Scared,” he got the goose bumps. It was the big one, the thing he wanted to do.
He started making comedy YouTube videos of him with a photoshopped Conan O’Brien. He put that vision in his mind. He started moving in that direction.
Today, you’ll find plenty of YouTube videos of the nerdy immigrant kid from the small college town—only now they’re of his one-man show, or of him on The Daily Show or as emcee of the White House Correspondent’s Dinner.
Anything can be manifested, but you gotta start with a vision.
What gives you goose bumps, my friends?
Pam Grout is the author of 18 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the recently released, Thank and Grow Rich: a 30-day Experiment in Shameless Gratitude and Unabashed Joy.
12 Responses
That’s beautiful. I’ll bet he’s a funny guy as well as a brave one.
My husband and I had a friend who said, “Should is a four letter word.” Facts is another. Those words limit not expand our thinking and feeling. There is so much more to life than “should” and “facts”. To answer your question, I get goose bumps when I think of talking to my readers, of being on Super Soul Sunday with Oprah talking about my book(s), or meeting Elizabeth Gilbert, Brené Brown, or J. K. Rowling. Thanks for this post.
I so needed to see this today! Turned in my notice at a so-so job to pursue my passion as an artist. Thank you for reminding me that I just need to keep moving forward.
Congratulations!!!
Like all of your posts. Love this one! Goosebumps makes the whole idea fresh again.
my 14 year old son gives me goose bumps everyday as he pursues what he loves. He inspires me each day as he stands up for what he believes in and he put’s careful attention on doing only what he loves. He helps me to stay true to my words and honor my needs.
Soooo many ideas and dreams give me goosebumps these days–I plan to live to 100 in order to get to them all!
It makes me happy just thinking about it 🙂
First define what ‘goose bumps’ are for you. My sign is a little more personal. My most recent was seeing a course for producing your own flax, from seed to cloth to artwork. Wheels are spinning
Love you Pam. As always, this was just what I needed to hear, just when I needed to hear it. How is it possible that you are spot on every time?
What a great reminder. LOVE this Pam! Thank you!
Absolutely love this Pam. For the first time in my life, I am moving forward towards what gives me goosebumps, irrespective of the dominant paradigm that was the persistent recording in my head. Thank you for your timely message. It truly ON TIME :-), much blessings to you.
Having a Bank balance of INR 1 Billion gives me goosebumps and I’m aiming for it besides other dreams that I believe I will live very soon.
Thanks a centillion Pam for constantly reminding and sharing your knowledge with the world. As soon as I achieve this I will meet you and thank you personally for your help and being my guide.
See you soon…