I always thought that dreams were meant to stay in the realm of fantasy, never to be realized in reality. As a child, I dreamt of a world where my appearance didn't define me, where creativity was encouraged and celebrated. But as I grew older, the harsh realities of life set in.
My mother's words echoed in my mind - "Creativity is for the weak-minded; only science can lead you to success." And so, I buried my love for art and literature under layers of equations and algorithms. My parents pushed me towards a path they believed would guarantee success - mathematics, physics, computer science.
I excelled in these subjects out of sheer determination rather than passion. The thrill of solving complex problems soon turned into monotony as I forced myself to conform to their expectations. Despite my achievements as a teacher now, there is still an emptiness within me.
But deep down inside, there's a part of me that longs for something more fulfilling. A desire to break free from the chains that bind me to this mundane existence and pursue what truly sets my soul on fire.
Perhaps it's time for me to rediscover those childhood dreams buried beneath layers of logic and reason. To embrace who I truly am – not just Valerian Buzzard the teacher but Valerian Buzzard the artist with untapped potential waiting patiently to be unleashed onto the world.
It may seem like an impossible journey filled with uncertainties and doubts but maybe...just maybe...it's worth taking that leap into the unknown abyss called 'dreams'.