Talk of "Castles in the Air" Detrimental?

In Henry David Thoreau's essay on "Civil Disobedience," he states:

"That if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours...If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be" (256). 

When we talked about this passage in class, we deciphered that it was primarily idealistic, and that although it was inspirational, Thoreau failed to supply his readers with pragmatic advice as to how they could start "living the life which he has imagined." 

In today's society, this same follow-your-dreams motivation tactic can be found in our every day lives. It seems that parents are over nurturing their kids, covering up failure's with presents or awards, all to keep their children from realizing they have not succeeded. Trophies are given out to the losing team at soccer games, and green participation ribbons are awarded to the last runner who crosses the finish line at track meets. 

While it is essential for parents and mentor figures to motivate kids and teach them the value of having a dream, when does this stop becoming helpful, and start becoming detrimental? If kids grow up believing that truly "anything is possible," how will they react when they meet failure's inevitable grip in the real world? 

As critical readers and thinkers, our American Studies class does not take Thoreau's statement literally, as we know from experience that there are limitations to our dreams, however kids cease to know more than what they are taught. If their teachers raise them to build "castles in the air" and do not teach them how to build a proper foundation, than their castles, simple or complex, will surely crumble.

A dip in Walden Pond

In the mid 1840's, Henry David Thoreau moved to a cabin in the woods to search for the necessities in life and seek how he could achieve them. He then recorded his observations about life and society in his book "Walden." Here, he argues that "our life is frittered away by detail" and urges us to cut back on the frivolous to obtain essential "Simplicity" (73). 

Each year, my family embarks on a similar endeavor by venturing to our cabin in the woods of northern Canada. Here, my family and I escape from "reality" for 10 days or so while we take a step back from our structured, bustling lives to the serenity and relaxation of nature. Our log cabin is small and simple, consisting of 2 bedrooms (to sleep 4 people and 1 dog), a kitchen, a screened in porch, and a bathroom. Our life here is very remote. We just got indoor plumbing 5 years ago, do not have air conditioning, heat, TVs, computers, or even phones. We try to provide for ourselves and many of our meals come from the fish we catch. 

With the secludedness of our surroundings, it's impossible not to become one with nature. Our cabin is on 6 acres of land, overlooking a beautiful lake and in the midst of a thick forest. Our neighbors are bears, moose, wolves, and beavers who often times drop by to say hello.

Since the day time temperature can differ up to 40 degrees from the night's, we pack what we need to stay comfortable. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, jeans,  rain jackets, t-shirts, and shorts fill our suitcases. A "fashionable" item has yet to make the cut.

This trip my family considers a vacation may seem unbearable and boring to some. Although it may not fit the standards of a "common" north shore family vacation, my memories from Canada rank among the best of my life. Since there are very few man made distractions, I'm able to spend time with my family as we go hiking up mountains, fishing while the sun sinks into a gilded sky at sunset, or swimming in the rain. As we are immersed into nature, we become one with its rejuvenating powers and its beauty. 

It today's world, it seems unthinkable to be happy without the Internet, our cell phones, ipods, and 3 story houses. However, from experience, I can agree with Thoreau when he claims "Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind" (10). To reiterate an echo from the past-one should take a dip in Walden Pond, and see what it's like to live without unnecessary clutter. There they will find what's truly important in life.