--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I learned that there were two ways I…" description: "\"I learned that there were two ways I could live my life: following my dreams or doing something else. Dreams aren't a matter of chance, but a matter of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/714/david-copperfield-2966_believe_i-learned-that-there-were-two-ways-i-cou_785274.png" --- # I learned that there were two ways I could live my life… ![“I learned that there were two ways I could live my life: following my dreams or doing something else. Dreams aren't a matter of chance, but a matter of choice. When I dream, I believe I am rehearsing my future.” quote by David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/714/david-copperfield-2966_believe_i-learned-that-there-were-two-ways-i-cou_785274.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/714/david-copperfield-2966_believe_i-learned-that-there-were-two-ways-i-cou_785274.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/714/david-copperfield-2966_believe_i-learned-that-there-were-two-ways-i-cou_785274.png) > “I learned that there were two ways I could live my life: following my dreams or doing something else. Dreams aren't a matter of chance, but a matter of choice. When I dream, I believe I am rehearsing my future.” [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing to pursue dreams is an active decision, not random luck; dreaming rehearses future possibilities. **In simple terms:** Dreams are choices, not chance. Key Takeaway Choose to act on your dreams. Themes choice dreams agency future self‑determination Mood hopeful determined inspirational Type advice motivational When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - creative projects - life transitions Key Concepts self‑efficacy visualization goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What choices keep you from following your dreams? - How can you turn dreaming into concrete action? A Different Perspective Dreams may be limited by external constraints or self‑doubt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Encouraging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encouraging/) [Following dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/following-dreams/) [Following my dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/following-my-dreams/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [If you're following your dreams, you're doing something you love and that you believe in yourself for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mckayla-maroney/if-you-re-following-your-dreams-you-re-doing-something-you-love-and/) [McKayla Maroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mckayla-maroney/) > [Capture your dreams and your life becomes full. You can, because you think you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-koloff/capture-your-dreams-and-your-life-becomes-full-you-can-because-you/) [Nikita Koloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-koloff/) > [I'm following my dreams and doing what I love as a designer. I did not want to be one of those kids with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-hilton/i-m-following-my-dreams-and-doing-what-i-love-as-a-designer-i-did-not/) [Nicky Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-hilton/) > [I want people to know me for following my dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-james/i-want-people-to-know-me-for-following-my-dreams/) [Luke James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-james/) > [Don't ever let someone tell you, you can't do something. Not even me. You got a dream, you got to protect it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-conrad/don-t-ever-let-someone-tell-you-you-can-t-do-something-not-even-me/) [Steven Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-conrad/) > [Start where you are, use what you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-ashe/start-where-you-are-use-what-you-have/) [Arthur Ashe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-ashe/) > [I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-m-sick-of-following-my-dreams-i-m-just-going-to-ask-them-where-they/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I'm a proud Louisianan, and always will be, but from a very early age I've had stars in my eyes for the glitz and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lainey-wilson/i-m-a-proud-louisianan-and-always-will-be-but-from-a-very-early-age-i/) [Lainey Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lainey-wilson/) > [Not fulfilling your dreams will be a loss to the world, because the world needs everyone's gift - yours and mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-sher/not-fulfilling-your-dreams-will-be-a-loss-to-the-world-because-the/) [Barbara Sher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-sher/) > [For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dhirubhai-ambani/for-those-who-dare-to-dream-there-is-a-whole-world-to-win/) [Dhirubhai Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dhirubhai-ambani/) > [Never give up on what you really want to do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/never-give-up-on-what-you-really-want-to-do/) [H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/) > [I'm holding on, I'm finding strength, I'm following my dreams. I've come too far, I'm smart enough, no matter what they say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-latimore/i-m-holding-on-i-m-finding-strength-i-m-following-my-dreams-i-ve-come/) [Jacob Latimore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-latimore/) > [I'll never give up, I'll hold my head up, can't nobody stand in my way. I can't go on so I'm feeling strong cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-latimore/i-ll-never-give-up-i-ll-hold-my-head-up-can-t-nobody-stand-in-my-way/) [Jacob Latimore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-latimore/) > [Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/believe-in-your-dreams-if-you-don-t-who-will/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [A skilful man reads his dreams for his selfknowledge; yet not the details, but the quality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-skilful-man-reads-his-dreams-for-his-selfknowledge-yet-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by David Copperfield > [There is a safe spot within every tornado. My job is to find it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/there-is-a-safe-spot-within-every-tornado-my-job-is-to-find-it/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [I'm inventing new principles. The audience has a point of view that no one can predict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/i-m-inventing-new-principles-the-audience-has-a-point-of-view-that-no/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [I love creating new things. It's kind of my job, it's what I do, and I really have fun with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/i-love-creating-new-things-it-s-kind-of-my-job-it-s-what-i-do-and-i/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [I was teaching magic at NYU when I was 16.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/i-was-teaching-magic-at-nyu-when-i-was-16/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [The real secret of magic lies in the performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/the-real-secret-of-magic-lies-in-the-performance/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [Everyone was talking about having airplanes disappear. And I said, "Wait, wait, wait. That's what you like? I'd tell you a story about something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/everyone-was-talking-about-having-airplanes-disappear-and-i-said-wait/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [For me, it's about risk taking, taking things in new directions. Because every single time, no matter how much you learn, you can never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/for-me-it-s-about-risk-taking-taking-things-in-new-directions-because/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [It's okay for me to be gay, but God didn't make me that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/it-s-okay-for-me-to-be-gay-but-god-didn-t-make-me-that-way/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [Ride on! Rough-shod if need be, smooth-shod if that will do, but ride on! Ride on over all obstacles, and win the race!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/ride-on-rough-shod-if-need-be-smooth-shod-if-that-will-do-but-ride-on/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [Magicians are the people who began to use film as an illusion on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/magicians-are-the-people-who-began-to-use-film-as-an-illusion-on-stage/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [I'm just waiting for people to start asking me to make the rain disappear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/i-m-just-waiting-for-people-to-start-asking-me-to-make-the-rain/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [Magicians lose the opportunity to experience a sense of wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/magicians-lose-the-opportunity-to-experience-a-sense-of-wonder/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [I am fortunate to have the resources to have many methods to do each of my illusions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/i-am-fortunate-to-have-the-resources-to-have-many-methods-to-do-each/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [I'm the luckiest man in the world - performing 500 shows a year and loving what I do - illusion IS my day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/i-m-the-luckiest-man-in-the-world-performing-500-shows-a-year-and/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [From the very beginning, I studied acting, directing, lighting, dance and movement. I didn't rely on just the magic to take place. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/from-the-very-beginning-i-studied-acting-directing-lighting-dance-and/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) [Explore all 144 David Copperfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I learned that there were two ways I could live my life: following my dreams or doing something else. Dreams aren't a matter of chance, but a matter of choice. 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