Daring to Dream

It is fun to talk to youngsters about 'dreams', and as I asked them if they dream, there were giggles and smiles. After all, who on earth does not dream? Every one has dreams, big or small, good or bad, and so my question might have been quite unwanted. But I had a point in asking them whether they dream, and what sort of dreams they have! I made it clear that the dreams that small children have about what they would receive from their parents and relatives is quite different from adolescents and adults would have, and that is the kind of dreams I was keen on delving deep into.

Needless to say, our dreams are shaped and moulded by the society we live in, the kind of people we associate with, and the kind of role-models we have around. One thing however is quite interesting to note: the children from the poor backgrounds often have bigger and more ambitious dreams, and it is not surprising that many of them do achieve a greater part of their dreams, by sheer will power and determination. Those who are well-to-do and rich, do not bother to dream big, and therefore they have stunted growth, and remain where their parents had left them.

I was surprised to hear one of the little girls tell me that she wanted to be an air-hostess! Where did she come across an air-hostess, who might have inspired her to become one? This ten-to-twelve year old girl had a dream which is out of the ordinary mould that girls of this hostel would generally dare to dream; it may be possible that this girl does not know what it is to become an air-hostess, but since her eyes are clearly fixed on this dream, I would not be surprised if she becomes one after some years.

I had made it clear that most often our dreams are self-centered; we become the center of our dreams, and may not include others, our family, friends and neighbors in the dreams. If the dreams are too narrow and self-centered, then the challenges and struggles we may have to face are far greater than the dreams which include our closest circle of dear ones, parents, siblings, friends and neighbors. When we share in the collective dream of a community, we are sure to receive the approval and support of the community, which are more important for the realization of the dreams.

There is one way how we can nourish and nurture our dreams: by helping others realize their own dreams, big or small, as the case may be. We all need the support of the other people in society to translate our dreams into a reality. No dream can be realized in a vaccuum; we require a concrete human society to realize it. A dream come true also imply the acceptance of the community, and we cannot take all the credit for finally arriving at the winning point, because every dream opens up multiple possibilities to go ahead in life to slowly enter into a world where there may not be much difference between dream and reality!