This is a very interesting post. Being a 'failed' musician I can slightly relate. However, I think the competition for actually being a 'professional' or deemed 'successful' in the field is largely unknown. Musicians aren't just people goofing around. Ben wants to play sax, but did you know for him to be competitive he has to practice about 10 hours a day? This leave very little time to actually make a wage when searching for a gig or a job. Did you know that songwriters need to market their songs, and most of the time they will spend on average of 10 months writing just a short, 3 minute song? This uses up a lot of time and a lot of money to find people that want to use your song, or find someone to pay you to write a song. The music industry is extremely competitive. 3 in 10 can make a living off their musical dream. 6 in 10 will obtain some sort of related injury that hinders their progress or ruins their careers.

That's where my failed dream comes in. I suffered a hand injury because I was practicing too much for graduate school auditions and finishing my undergrad performances. 2 years later, I'm still suffering. My career was ruined before it even began.

Living your dream is a great idea. But when its actually implemented, I think it doesn't make the cut. Mark might be able to do side stuff for what he wants to do, but making a living off it isn't plausible.

Indeed, it is important to follow your own advice. For one you will know if it actually works or you are just full of crap. That's also one of the key things to look for when seeking advice from others--find someone who has actually done the thing it is that you are trying to do.

What this story goes to show is the importance of credibility and following through. There are so many people who are quick to judge others or tell them what they should be doing, but would be doing the exact same thing if roles were reversed. Sometimes following our own advice is easier said than done, but it's important to remember our dreams and make sure they don't get lost in everyday life. I definitely admire Mark for following his heart.

I ran into 2 nuns in the checkout line at Sam’s Club the other morning. They where smiling and checking out groceries, and my friend and I stuck up a conversation. One was a helper the other a cook, and though I had many questions to ask, it simply wasn’t the time or place . What was striking were their smiles under their most religious attire. They where happy. They where dressed in beautiful habits, with a slightly gold tint. Heads covered in the same material draped to their shoulder, held by a noble black crown. For a touch of holy class, they had the most eye catching prayer beads looped several times and attached to their waist, almost touching the floor. My friend and I both kind of stopped for a moment in awe. There was something about them that was good, and peaceful. We both walked away in wonder, wishing we could have asked more questions, knowing that without any question, their lives demanded a kind of respect for no other reason than their commitment and belief in their life and goals.

Both of us being of Christian Faith, I poked for a response from my friend and said, "Perhaps, we take our own faith for granted? No answer.... "Perhaps, God desires such a commitment like this from us?" still no answer...

For the record, Ben and Myself (I'm Mark) are indeed religious. We claim to have faith, and indeed Marie is right in her judgment that I was a hypocrite. I know the challenges that await both Ben and myself, the seemingly impossible odds of being "successful." Yet the nuns have it correct. Sometimes we have to cut away from looking or acting or believing as others do, in order to find the grace and peace to put our hearts and dreams on the line. We must live by standards that may only apply to us, and look completely foolish in the eyes of others. In fact, I think its required. Not only to live a life of religious faith, but to succeed in general. In the end, if we continue to do as we have always done, we will always get what we have always gotten.

I believe that we live in a wonderful world with options more vast than we can imagine. But faith is required of all who dream, and hypocrisy is a feeling not easily removed by even the greatest of financial successes.

It's always funny how such a simple piece of advice can be so profound.

It's always best to practice what you preach and if it's that difficult to do then you probably shouldn't be offering the advice in the first place. Try not to live by the 'do what I say, not what I do' mantra.

Great post, really got my brain ticking over.