We should be dreaming. We grew up as kids having dreams, but now we're too sophisticated as adults, as a nation. We stopped dreaming. We should always have dreams.

Herb Brooks’s quote, "We should be dreaming. We grew up as kids having dreams, but now we're too sophisticated as adults, as a nation. We stopped dreaming. We should always have dreams," reflects Brooks’s belief in the importance of maintaining the sense of wonder, hope, and aspiration that children naturally have. He argues that as people grow older, they often become more focused on the practical aspects of life and lose sight of their ability to dream big, suggesting that this shift is a loss of something important. Brooks advocates for the need to continually dream, no matter the stage of life, as dreams fuel growth, ambition, and progress.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Brooks’s career as a hockey coach, particularly in his role leading the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team to victory at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Brooks was known for his ability to inspire his athletes to believe in the impossible and to strive beyond what seemed attainable. His message here reflects the motivational mindset he instilled in his players—believing that with dreams, determination, and teamwork, they could achieve extraordinary success, as they did when they defeated the Soviet Union in the famous "Miracle on Ice."

Brooks’s words suggest that the adult world, with its focus on realism, often stifles the more creative and optimistic mindset that dreams require. As a society, he implies, we have become too focused on what is practical and achievable, losing the imagination and hope that allows people to push boundaries and innovate. For Brooks, maintaining dreams is essential not only for personal fulfillment but also for societal progress and achievement.

Ultimately, this quote serves as a reminder that dreams are not just for children, but essential for everyone, regardless of age. Dreaming encourages people to think beyond their immediate circumstances, aim for higher goals, and pursue visionary paths. Brooks is urging both individuals and nations to continue dreaming in order to realize their fullest potential and to maintain the hope that change and greatness are always within reach.