The Art of Encore Living

25 May 2022 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

2:10

In this video, Scott Perry opens with a recitation of Langston Hughes' poem "Dreams," emphasizing its message that life without dreams is crippled. He then introduces himself as an Encore Life Coach who helps people aged 45 and older create or grow meaningful post‑retirement ventures. Perry argues that modern education and work systems focus on fleeting desires rather than lasting dreams, defining desire as a selfish, singular pursuit and dream as a worthy, community‑oriented cause. He notes that achieving desires often leaves a void, whereas pursuing dreams provides intrinsic meaning regardless of outcome, citing Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" as an intentional use of the term. Perry concludes with reflective questions for viewers to identify their own desires and dreams, suggesting that this distinction can guide healthier choices and better decision‑making for those seeking purpose after retirement.

Chapters

Langston Hughes' poem Dreams was one of the few we encouraged our sons to memorize while we were homeschooling them. Do you know it? Here it is. Dreams by Langston Hughes. Hold fast to your dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. Hold fast to your dreams, for when dreams go, life is a barren field frozen with snow. Hey, I'm Scott Perry, Encore Life Coach at CreativeOnPurpose.com, where we help people 45+ start or scale a fulfilling post-retirement platform. Don't just leave a legacy, live it. Dreams matter. They matter a lot. Yet our institutionalized educational and occupational systems talk very little about and rarely encourage dreams. Instead, they distract us with the craving for the —pursuit of desires. This is sad and a recipe for suffering. Although we often conflate dreams and desires, the distinctions between the two make all the difference in terms of promoting our health and happiness. Desire is the singular and selfish pursuit of a want. On the other hand, a dream is a worthy cause we work toward in community. Ironically, even when we achieve a desire, we feel empty and lacking and wanting more. Interestingly, although we suspect our dreams are beyond our reach, we find the endeavor itself is its own reward, providing our lives with meaning, fulfillment, and joy regardless of the result. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech referred or referenced a dream, not a desire, on purpose, and for good reason. As a Difference Maker, what are the aims you are pursuing? Which are desires? Which are dreams? How might distinguishing between the two help you frame healthier choices and make better decisions about what you do next?