I don't, I just sit and quietly burn away in the hope that someday I'll see an opportunity and be ready to seize it. It's a foolish and idealistic way to live, but I think it's worth it in the end.

Life's too short; unless it is super-duper impossible, go for it. Don't let the lack of money inhibit you. That's just silly; money's for having fun. If you MUST suppress it, you can either convince yourself that you don't want it or you can just try to be rational. An alternative could be seeking a compromise: something possible but not quite as good.

I'm going to give two answers to this question - a generic answer and a personal one. Ambition is something that is very difficult to suppress. It burns inside us and despite repeatedly trying to rationalise our own dreams, I know that often a tiny flame of hope will forever be there - seemingly impossible to extinguish. The problem is that our ambitions help define us, they become intertwined with our character and drive us every day. The best thing I could suggest to combat such dreams to avoid future disappointment is to try and 'overlook' them and concentrate on something that is closer. I think by concentrating on smaller ambitions (completing a project at work, getting a qualification) and using them to help drive yourself it is possible to push that burning dream out of sight at least temporarily. Eventually as time goes by that 'ultimate' ambition will morph and change, most likely into something more achievable. Breaking things down and concentrating on short term advancement should help, although I really think it's impossible to completely eliminate such greater ambitions. Now that's out the way, I'd like to say I know a lot about the apparent futility of huge ambitions and how hard it is when they seem so very far away. I know how the great distance between dreams and reality can make you want to break free of these ambitions but I think for some, this isn't always the best option. Carm, you've made it clear to me and many other baggers that you're an extremely intelligent, strong willed individual with your heart in the right place. At your age, I think pushing those dreams away would be a bad idea. It's hard and it can cause a lot of pain on the way but I personally believe that (from what I've seen of you on AB) you could build a successful career in just about any profession and with a combination of that driving ambition and hard work make it to the top. Don't 'squash' that desire (I know it can seem like the best option), harness it, use it and be what you want to be. You can do it.

Hi carmella... don't squash it... anything is possible... forget limitations...you may be living up to some else's expectations...