Is My Dream Worth the Difficulty?

“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”—Theodore Roosevelt.

As Roosevelt’s words resonate deeply inside my core, they point me toward the rough path I must travel. Although I know the late President’s advice to be true, I often resist complying to it. I’m not alone.

Our culture desires easy money, instant fame, a cushioned chair, and a paved road. We seek the easiest path to success. The media steps in, whispering rags-to-riches stories about people whose life seem effortless, contradicting the voice of truth. We know most good things don’t come easily yet still choose to listen to those anecdotes as hardcore evidence that our dreams will come true without work.

Dreams stay dreams unless we act.

With my pie-in-the-sky dream and naive attitude, I severely underestimated how much work was required to be successful at writing. I discovered this after many failed attempts and rejected submissions. For years, I’ve been chasing the thought of being agented. Attending writing conferences and presenting my ideas only to hear “sorry” after a good pitch was emotionally and mentally draining. I finished a novel and drafted book proposals that outlined my story for agents and publishers. It wasn’t easy. When my proposals were declined, it exhausted my writer’s spirit and tipped me into disillusionment.

I had trivialized how much grit and determination it would take to emotionally and mentally stay with the trade. My progress wasn’t gained by talent but only by continually showing up to work.

Writing is my passion. I’m okay working hard at what I do. Each time I sit at the keyboard is a chance to learn the craft, glean from my mentor and peers, and share my thoughts with the world. Treating writing as a sacred privilege, I value my readership and strive to serve them well.

After all, according to Roosevelt, it’s going to require something of me if my writing is going to be valuable.

Recently, I took time to rest, reflect, listen to God’s Word, and spend time in nature. My writing life had hit too many walls, and I needed to regroup. My wife and sons were supportive, pointing out how I might be able to gain some footing as a writer, suggesting I write what I know about—wildlife and the natural world.

Their ideas resonated with me, and being an outdoor and wildlife enthusiast, I took my office outside, listened to the silence, and spent three months in the forest. I’m not saying everyone needs to or should spend this much time alone in the woods, but for me, it was healthy. Busy schedules, hectic chaos, drama, and noise tend to disrupt my creative flow, but listening to a woodpecker drilling holes in a tree or the gentle footfalls of a deer gracing across the forest floor tend to awaken it. My time spent in solitude was both a lifeline and a pleasure.

Some days, I sat in the forest itself. Other days, I used a camouflage pop-up hunting blind. Being inside its four walls seemed cozy, and when I took my laptop, it was like sitting in a mini-office where good thoughts and creative flow seemed to process easily. The blind gave me the opportunity to work and get intimate encounters with the flora and fauna of Pennsylvania.

When the weather was inclement, or I simply wanted a more comfortable seat, I parked my truck, put the windows down, and used binoculars for a more distant view. I found it exhilarating to watch wildlife from the truck as well as the forest. Most days I listened to a favorite podcast or sermon series with earbuds. Being challenged, compelled, or awakened, I often stopped the audio to pray. Finding it easier to conversate with God when I was alone and submersed in His creation, my relationship with Him deepened, and my overall life quality improved. I was enthralled by hearing the voice and instruction of God. Somehow, someway, both seemed to occur while spending time in the woods and hills. Typically, my time with God and nature ended each day with His hand-painted display of power, majesty, and brilliance across the sky above. I often felt the sunsets spoke just for me.

My time outdoors was priceless.

After heading to the forest nearly every day for three months, the refreshing, regrouping, and work done in solitude seemed to pay off. I received my first yes as an author when a conservation magazine showed interest in my work. Thrilled, the positive feedback propelled me forward, pushing me to work harder and achieve more.

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My dream is to be a successful writer—specifically, a novelist. I know this dream demands effort, and I accept the challenge, as my labor will produce a finer writer inside me. The toil refines my style, communication efficiency, and message value to readers.

Regardless of occupation, we all have dreams and aspirations. I’m encouraged when people chase their dreams. It breaks my heart to know many have settled for less.

My challenge is to search deeply within myself, then urge others to follow. Do we want to be someone who dreamed, set course toward a goal, and despite hardship, obtained something worth achieving? Or will difficulty and circumstances deter us from what we pursue? Could it be, that we are exactly those of whom Theodore Roosevelt spoke? Could we be human beings who lead difficult lives but lead them well? Could we be envied—in a healthy way—for not quitting, but for reaching the goal we desire? Isn’t it worth the struggle to obtain our dreams?

Let’s not give up. We can push harder to do what’s necessary, even if it means buying a pop-up blind, getting outside, and sitting in a local forest for three months. There are many creative ways to fuel the drive to chase a dream. It’s thrilling to brainstorm possibilities, and the journey starts when ideas are implemented.

We can be successful. Let’s do what’s required, dig deeply, and find what works. Why not reach for our goals. I say we don’t stop until they’re achieved. Although it may be difficult, like Roosevelt says, it will be worth something when we do.