After spending seven years creating a comic strip, I published the last one on January 27, 2007. It was a hard dream to let goof, especially after pouring so much effort into it. It is only now, all these years later, that I finally understand something important:

Sometimes your dream is not your real dream.

I thought my dream was to create a popular comic strip. But my real dream was to inspire, entertain, and encourage people to be more childlike in order to create lives with less stress and more joy. The comic strip was just one possible how. I had allowed the how to cloud the why.

If your real dream is to experience a thrilling cross-country adventure, does it matter if you have to trade in your Corvette for a Harley? Sometimes you have to let go of the structure of your dream to achieve the spirit of your dream. Which can really suck, especially when you’ve invested so much going in one direction.

But back when I was drawing comic strips, I couldn’t have imagined the work I get to do today. It’s better than my wildest dreams! Letting go of one art form allowed my art to evolve into something new (and better!).

It’s ok to be sad, disappointed, or angry when the structure of your dream falls apart around you. Just know that the spirit of your dream is very much alive. Let go, rise up, and soar to new heights.