Visions and dreams

"Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements."

Napoleon Hill

This quote struck a chord within me when I saw it a few days ago. I've asked myself many times, "What is my visions and dreams?" but only to be left staring at the blank wall of my mind. Why is there a wall in the first place... why is it there and what is hidden behind that wall?

When we were children it was easier for us to let our minds soar in our imagination, dreaming of what we could be in the future, wondering about the 'what if...'s and 'what about...'s. However as we grow up our mind's vision gets narrower and eventually limiting ourselves in so many ways; leaving us staring at a wall - blocked. By then, we our childhood visions and dreams would've been concealed behind that wall and the more we let it stay behind it, the easier we forget about it.

Randy Pausch once said: "Brick walls are there for a reason"

I agree with him. During times when you feel that you feel stuck, uninspired or lost try and remember your vision, goals and/or dreams. When you can't recall them but you know that there's something deep inside of you that you may have long forgotten, get over that 'brick wall' to reunite yourself to your life's purpose.

Think about it, get help from your childhood friend to remind you of your 'crazy' dream, talk to people, walk down memory lane, watch family videos...do anything that can remind you of what you wanted but have lost track of. It could be dreams that you had since you were a child (you can count on the honesty to yourself to know what you truly want in life) or something that you've discovered throughout the years. Whatever it is, hold on to them as they will fill your life with purpose and fulfillment...and of course be the blueprint to your success.

Knowing what you want and identifying your goals or dreams is only the first step to a more fulfilling life. From this you will have a goal to work towards to; a lighthouse to lead you ship to your destination. As you set your destination and embark on your life's journey, remember to check your 'map', your goals/dreams, so you won't lose your way.

All the best and here's to a happier and more fulfilling life!

Cheers.

Thank you for reading this article! Do share your thoughts, stories or comments. Feedback is highly valued here at The Present Gift. Feel free to drop a comment or e-mail me – just click on the Contact tab at the top of the page for my details.

Success

For the past week I made decisions that I never saw coming my way so soon. I thought it would take much later for me face them but I floated with the current and I'm glad that I did.

Many times I've thought about my decision, doubted it, supported it, doubted it again but in the end I decided to root for it (read: myself) because doubts and fear won't get me anywhere. It'll only remain heavy in my heart while washing my self-confidence down the drain, spiralling down the never-ending gutter.

It's because of that decision I know I've set a solid foundation for my career and boosted my first step into financial indepence. And that's the scary part.

You can say (and I admit) it's the fear of success.

"People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don’t deserve them, or that they’ll be unable to achieve them. We, their hearts become fearful just thinking of loved ones who go away forever, or of moments that could have been good, but weren’t, or of treasures that might have been found but were forever hidden in the sands. Because, when these things happen, we suffer terribly."

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

It happens to me and it is this fear that's holding me back from what I have the potential to gain. It's so scary that it immobilise you in your tracks while whispering doubts into your ear as you step outside of your comfort zone.

But I realised that everything's going to be just fine. What is there to be afraid of when it's not for sure that those threats exist in the first place?!

How can I be sure that my future employer would be disappointed in me when I'm willing to work my butt off?

How would I know that things would go wrong half-way when in fact everything's going to plan?

How would I know that I wouldn't be able to make ends meet when everything's just fine?


Rather than spend your time and energy worrying about things that don't exist, enjoy the things that do.

I've set on a career and secured a job before graduation. Shouldn't I be rejoicing it rather than fear about what could go wrong?

As silly as it may sound to some, I think there are many out there who share the same kind of fear of what lies ahead, the sacrifices we have to make, the unknown obstacles that drop on us unexpectedly and the things that we are not comfortable with...yet.

But tell your heart this:

“The fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.”

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Not doing the things that you want or holding yourself back from the experiences that will bring your far in life because of fear would only bring more suffering. It brings no satisfaction at all.

Even though I've just made that first step towards a great life and haven't seen its rewards yet, I know that what's more important is that I didn't hold myself back and there will be no looking back wondering if I could've had a better life.

All I had to do was make that positive decision.

So can YOU.

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Here's an inspiring photo by tdoxie aptly named, Don't Fear What Lies Ahead.



Thank you for reading this article! Do share your thoughts, stories or comments. Feedback is highly valued here at The Present Gift. Feel free to drop a comment or e-mail me – just click on the Contact tab at the top of the page for my details.