It takes time to find out one's purpose in life.
I wonder what mine is meant to be. I asked: Which of my dreams are meant to be realised? Which are just merely passing thoughts? How do I make that good judgement?
Some people think that some of my ideas aren't realistic. Maybe they are yet to be. Yet, aren't dreams just unrealised vision, waiting to be realised and brought to reality?
Then again, I fear I may fail to consider the reality and the actual feasibility of realising a dream. Realisation of a dream is somehow different from dreaming. When one dreams, one thinks of an idea, a vision. When one realises a dream, one structures and builds a vision into something that is actual. And while the conceptualisation stage needs one to dream, the actualisation stage needs one to wisely use resources from the reality so as to realise the dream concept. The dreamer dreams the vision, the do-er realises the vision.
Dreams. They may take long to become real clear. They often take time and effort to reach realisation. Yet they are also very vulnerable. They may die prematurely, if not handled with good care.
It's a pity that well-intentioned people may unintentionally crush a dream. They meant well. Afterall, the road to a dream's realisation may often be full of setbacks, hurts, disappointments and yet, full of satisfying challenges.
And soon I've learnt that perhaps one way to prevent the premature death of a dream is to keep it in the mind. Premature disclosure may bring uninvited comments. So I shall trust that it's often better to plant the seed containing my dream in the mind. The mind shall be the nursery, and provide the nurturance until the life in the seed is strong enough to be on its own. I shall trust that the seed will gradually grow in there. Until it reaches a stage of maturity, where resources align to make its realisation more possible.
Give it time. Give it patience. Have faith that it would grow steadily if well nurtured. Good dreams can withstand the test of time, won't they?
Dreams. So intricate, so mysterious, so large in space.
And then I remember this verse: May I have the wish I wish tonight.
Drafted on 31 May 2004.
Last revised: 1 June 2004.
By Pei Yun.