CHAPTER 3
Dreams That Drive: The Power of Giving and Growing
To the sleepless nights and the dreams that keep you awake—pause and reflect for a moment. People often say, “Don’t call them dreams, call them goals.” But here’s the thing: goals alone won’t keep you up at night. It’s your dreams that fuel that restless energy, driving you forward even when the world is asleep. The question is, do you still nurture that hope within you?
Goals give you direction, telling you where to aim and what you need to achieve. But for dreams to become reality, you first need to envision them. And to truly envision something, you need rest—good, quality sleep. Yet in today’s fast-paced world, sleep has become a luxury few can afford. It’s ironic, isn’t it? We chase our ambitions so relentlessly that we forget the importance of rest, the very foundation upon which our dreams are built.
Everything worth having in life comes with a cost. The more significant your dream, the higher the price you’ll have to pay. And trust me, what you desire most, the world won’t hand over to you on your first attempt. It’s not because the universe is cruel, but because it wants to teach you the true value of what you’re pursuing. When you obtain something easily, without struggle, you tend to take it for granted. But when you’ve shed tears, put in the hard work, and waited patiently, you understand its worth. You’ll cherish it, guard it, and appreciate it deeply because you know how hard it was to attain it.
When you finally grasp something you’ve longed for, after what feels like an eternity, that’s when you truly understand its significance. And once you realize how precious it is, you’ll be reluctant to share it with anyone. But if you do choose to share, despite the instinct to hold it close, you’ll find that life rewards you even more abundantly. Sharing is a fundamental part of life. Think about it: if no one shared, would you have anything at all? Everything you receive is a result of someone else’s generosity. So, when you give, you’re not losing anything—in fact, you’re making room to receive even more.
Many people believe that giving diminishes what they have, but that’s far from the truth. Consider the ocean, vast and deep. If a drop of water leaves the ocean, does it make any difference to its enormity? Of course not. Life operates in the same way. When you give something at the right time, to the right person, it’s like clapping for someone when no one else will. Your moment will come, and when it does, you’ll have a crowd cheering for you.
Understand that everyone is fighting their own battles, and when you recognize someone else’s struggle, it’s because you’ve been through something similar. This shared experience makes us human. People won’t love you for your possessions or your lifestyle; they’ll love you for who you are, deep down. It’s your soul that speaks louder than anything else, and that connection is what truly matters.
When life presents challenges, don’t be quick to say “no.” Instead, think twice about how your “yes” might impact someone who desperately needs it. Asking for help is one of the hardest things for anyone to do because it’s an admission of vulnerability. People usually avoid it because they believe others are too busy or unwilling to help. But when someone does ask, it’s a sign that they’ve reached their limit and need support. By offering help, you become an integral part of their story—an “amazing digit” in their life that they’ll never forget.
Helping someone without expecting anything in return is a rare and noble act. The rewards may not be immediate or tangible, but the blessings and goodwill you accumulate are far more valuable than any material gain. Curses and blessings have a way of shaping our lives, often more than we realize. So, focus on collecting blessings, not regrets. Hurting someone is easy and often goes unnoticed, but showing compassion and empathy can make a world of difference.
Be the example of humanity that the world so desperately needs right now. In a time when kindness is in short supply, strive to be a beacon of hope and goodness. Let people remember you not for your achievements or possessions, but for the kindness and generosity you showed them. Aim to leave an indelible mark on their hearts, one that they will carry with them long after you’re gone.
Remember, we all come into this world with nothing, and we leave with nothing. What remains is the legacy of how we treated others and the impact we had on their lives. People may forget your accolades, but they will always remember the size of your heart. So, be that positive digit in someone’s life—one that will never be subtracted, but will only add value to their journey. Understand the importance of life, help others do the same, and let the universe work in your favor as you manifest good things.
