April 28, 2013
Dreaming is an essential part of life, an activity we all enjoy. Sigmund Freud made a living analyzing people’s dreams. Most often, dreams do unravel what is buried deep down in the unconscious- the good, the bad and the ugly. Some have the ability to foresee the future through dreams. By the way, nightmares are dreams too but usually with a horrifying ending.
‘Its impossible’ said pride
‘Its risky’ said experience
‘Its pointless’ said reason
‘Give it a try’ whispered the heart
As this anonymous verse says all we have to do is, learn to listen to the heart. Nothing in life is fool-proof and it is not easy to think different and to be different. The possibility of falling flat on your face and being ridiculed is present in any venture. Never the less one has to bear in mind that failure is a stepping stone to success. We learn very important lessons from our mistakes. If you fall, do not be afraid to get up, brush off and move on. Life is not just about winning and losing. Like they say, running the race is more important than being first. Fear of failure and fear of rejection are two greatest fears that prevent most of us from taking risks. Truly, it does not matter what ‘they’ think or whether ‘they’ approve, what ‘you’ feel is more important and if your heart says it is the right thing to do, it probably is!
I know someone who bought a motor cycle at the age of 75 and his family and friends mocked him saying he was going through a ‘mid-life crisis’. But he has a different take on life altogether which he reveals: “I always wanted to ride a motorcycle ever since I was 18. At 18, I did not have the money, later I got busy with studies, work, marriage, raising children and before I knew it I turned 75. On my last birthday, I gave myself a present- A Harley Davidson- the king of all bikes! Now, when I have my wind jacket and sun shades on and zoom at lightning speeds, I feel just 18!” Good for you, Sir. Flying by the seat of your pants sure has its rewards, doesn’t it?
All endeavors big or small start with someone’s dreams. Most often we prefer to sit around and wait for the others to take the lead. We tend to ask “There is hunger in the world, there is poverty, why can’t the government do something? Why can’t the clergy do something?” We seldom ask “What am I doing? or How can I help?” “Some people see problems and ask why. I dream dreams and ask why not” said Robert F. Kennedy. It’s a given that everyone does not see the world as you do and it would be futile to expect them. Therefore, instead of waiting for someone else to act, it is better to just do it. So, dream on.
Now, if you are the kind of person who has a flight of ideas (every two seconds he or she gets an idea), you are bound to feel frustrated because either you start many projects but do not complete any or just sit and wonder which one to implement first. Therefore, one dream at a time is a good motto to have. Procrastination could be a great hindrance too. If you say ‘I want to start working on it next year’, it is not likely to progress from being an idea into something concrete. Therefore, I urge you, dare to dream and even when no one trusts you enough, you do it alone. Timing is important too. The best time to implement something is NOW (yes, with a capital N). Do not wait till they find clogs in your arteries or a tumor in your belly.
I am not talking about day dreaming. A person who day dreams, lives in a fantasy world far removed from reality. Wishful thinking does not get you anywhere. Success depends on walking the talk. Inspiration and perspiration are two key elements in turning dreams into reality. Therefore, be realistic about what you plan to achieve and have at least a faint idea about how you plan to implement it. From childhood, my dad encouraged me to dream and stood by me every step of the way. Today, he is no more but I continue to dream. They may laugh at you or ridicule you when you share your dream at first but when the dream is transformed into action you suddenly have a great following. The challenge is, even when no one believes you, you’ve got to believe in the source of your inspiration.
In the process of realization of a dream, you may find yourself swimming against the current. But when you reach the shore and look back you will know that it was worth it. Rabindranath Tagore wrote about it in 1905:
“Jodi tor daak shune keu naa ashe tobe ekla cholo re
Tobe ekla cholo, ekla cholo, ekla cholo, ekla cholo re”
Translated in English it reads: “If they do not answer your call walk alone
You walk alone, walk alone, walk alone, walk alone”
If you put a committee together, make a list of tasks, weigh the pros and cons you will be wasting a lot of time and energy. Implement something first and then worry about your following. Calculations, speculations, analyses are good things no doubt but life can be a lot simpler without these. I have been on many panels, committees, task forces both- in the academia and out. The bigger the committee, the harder is the task to agree on something. It is therefore advisable to keep the committee small. You have a few people to work with no doubt, but you are more likely to get things done.
A dream could turn into a nightmare if you do not exercise caution and recruit the right kind of people. There are two kinds of people- the talkers and the doers. People who share the same passion or have the same level of commitment as you help you accomplish what you set out to do in record time. On the contrary, those who deviate from the goal can be a drain and in turn dampen your spirits. No matter what happens it is important to stand firm on one’s convictions and not compromise on integrity despite temptations to go astray. Time and again you’ve got to stop and make sure you are doing the right thing.
Finally, if all of us spend less time talking and more time being and doing, we can make a world of difference. Don’t you think so? I could not find a better ending to this article than the lyrics from the famous musical ‘The Sound of Music’
“Climb every mountain
Cross every stream
Follow every by way
Until you find your dream…………..”
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