Keep on dreaming...

As children, we are encouraged to dream creatively and on a grand scale because the possibilities are endless.  Dressing up as fairytale characters, daydreaming, singing nursery rhymes and pondering about life as a grownup are all part of a healthy childhood.  However, as adults the life we dreamt about often becomes a distant memory because we unconsciously push those dreams aside for more pressing matters.  Suddenly we’re paying bills, holding down a job, having children of our own, experiencing pressure from friends/family to conform and getting stressed about all the responsibilities in our life.  As valid as they are, these commitments tend to get in the way of the dreams we initially imagined for ourselves and resentment starts to kick in because we feel unfulfilled.

Many people give up on their dreams because they are “too busy” or allow negative people to stop them in their tracks.  I personally believe that regardless of your age, background and what’s going on in your life; ANYONE can make that step towards pursuing their dream, no matter how big or small.  If someone really has the desire to achieve something and has the self-belief that they can make it happen, then no one and nothing in this world can take another person’s aspirations from them or stand in their way.  Granted, a few sacrifices may need to be made, but if it’s really worth it, you’ll know in your heart that you’re doing the right thing because you’ll eventually be living the dream.

A beautiful quote from Gail Devers, 3-time Olympic Gold Champion says: "Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe."

From the quote above, the word ‘determination’ screams out to me in so many ways.  Being determined always puts a person in good stead.  At the age of 14, I dreamt of a career in media and marketing, because I fell in love with the glitz, glamour and creativity of the industry.  However, when I told my friends and family about my dream at the time, I was faced with opposition with comments fed to me like: “black people don’t work in those types of jobs” and “you won’t amount to much”.  Luckily, I didn’t let this set me back.  The determination in me proved them wrong and I became the first person in my family to gain a university degree.  I was then fortunate enough to go on to work my way up the ranks in key roles at MTV, Endemol Television, Saatchi & Saatchi and the Walt Disney Company to name a few.  I was even invited to be a Guest Lecturer in many subjects due to my experience in the field.  I lived and fulfilled my dream!  And although it was stressy and challenging at times, I am grateful for every experience because I learnt so much and had the most amazing times of my life. 

After a successful career in media and marketing for over a decade, the buzz of the industry no longer appealed to me so I placed another dream in my sights: to be a Primary School Teacher.  This time, I kept it quiet because I did not want naysayers telling me it was impossible to make this career change.  My desire to work in a softer, more nurturing environment and to help shape the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds sparked off the determination in me this time.  But how was I going to take this leap from the manic media buzz into the classroom?  I did this by volunteering with children in my spare time.  I also qualified during this time as a Dance Teacher and started running dance classes for children in schools, which I loved and still do!  Eventually, just by a sheer stroke of luck I found a school to sponsor my post graduate teaching degree, enabling me to embark on this career change as a Primary School Teacher full time.

Will I ever stop dreaming as an adult?  Dreaming is what keeps me and millions of people going, so the answer is no.  And as for those negative people and situations which have stopped us dreamers in our tracks, they only make us stronger because they throw in the test on how determined and dedicated we are to fulfilling our aspirations.  Whilst I appreciate not all dreams become a reality (that’s life!), I am confident that we always end up where we’re meant to be in the end because as the Dalai Lama puts it “not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck” - it may just take you somewhere else much more rewarding. 

The YouTube video below features the new song from British urban hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks, entitled ‘Dreamers’.  With lyrics like “I can find my place in my dreams”, “we aim higher” and “we’re the believers”, this song aims to inspire anyone who listens to it to keep on pursuing their own aspirations because life’s too short.

Happy Shimmies :)

Nic ♥