I was six years old when I got married.
It was a simple playground ceremony officiated by a first-grade classmate and attended by close friends at recess. My bride Stacey and I exchanged tin foil rings. We kissed.
Everyone chanted about first comes love, then marriage, so next would be a baby carriage. But starting a family meant a honeymoon at Barbie’s Dream House after school, and playing with Stacey’s dolls didn’t interest me. So our marriage was soon annulled through a series of cooties shots.
I share this story because it is one of my most vivid memories of playing childhood make-believe.
As adults, make-believe takes on new form and meaning.
We play make-believe in our minds with our “what ifs.” What if I quit my job and start my own business? What if I go back to school and earn a degree? What if I move to a new city?
Sometimes, the vision in our heads inspires us enough to push us forward, and turn the game into reality.
Success demands yet a different kind of make-believe. It combines your vision, with what is in your heart, and the action you take.
Here’s how you play it:
Make. Believe.
Make a choice. Believe it is the right one. Be courageous.
Make a bet on your future. Believe in your success. Be confident.
Make a difference in someone’s life. Believe in their success. Be loving.
Make a mark on the world. Believe in your dream. Be you.
Photo: Nikki, Flickr.com