Dreams vs. Memories

What is the difference between dreams and memories?

Dreams are what you want to achieve in the future.

Memories are mental files of past experiences.

We dream about what we want to achieve tomorrow, or where we want to be in 10 years. We dream about that house we are going to buy a few years down the line. We have "dream jobs" and "dream houses". Dreaming conveys thought about the future.

Memories are things from our past, some we want to remember and others that we do not. Memories are your wedding day, your first child being born, or outstanding professional accomplishments. Memories are also things you wish never happened. Some memories are scars that cannot be erased.

Be honest with yourself, are the dreams of the future or memories of the past more predominant in your daily thinking? Are you planning for tomorrow or living in past accomplishments or regrets?

The battle between these two worlds is a daily challenge. We want to be positive and see opportunities, but it is very easy to get sucked into negative thinking and pity parties. Just as easy is living each day based upon accomplishments that were done years ago.

Here is a reality check, what you did then is no longer as significant as you think it was. Yes, it might have been great and important at the time, but what you are doing now is what people are noticing.

Many people replay memories in their mind when they should be creating dreams that will become memories after completion. Memories are great and everyone should take time to reflect on them, but make sure your focus is on the future and not the past. Learn from the past but don't live in it.

Are you achieving dreams or reliving memories?