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"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
With these words, Nelson Mandela closed his defense statement while standing trial on April 20, 1964. On the strength of this dream, developed in a time when such hopes could be described as the fantasies of a man living in denial of the stark realities of the times, he survived 27 years imprisonment and became the first black executive President of South Africa. He dared to dream.
History is replete with men and women who altered the existing order of things and brought positive change for which they are eternally remembered. Not because they belonged to a superior species of humans endowed with higher cerebral capacity and physical strength, but because they harnessed a power available to all but utilized by very few: the power to dream.
If there ever is a time when people need to dream and aspire for great things, it is now. The dysfunction and confusion that pervades our global society is an indicator that the stage is set for the ones who will summon courage to dream great dreams. This may sound ironic but it’s the truth. The skies are clear, the wind is just right, and with a flap of your dream wings, you will be caught in the currents and fly to heights that you only once dreamed of. Enough of struggling with the chickens on the already overcrowded ground when you can soar in the air like an eagle.
However, anyone who aspires for greatness must be armed with rock-solid determination. Having a dream is only the first part of the equation. Sustaining that dream is the other half and that is where a lot of people miss it. Due to pressures and challenges, so many abort their dreams and either refuse to dream again, or pursue less noble dreams. You may not be blamed if you do so. In fact, it may appear the sensible thing to do. In 1985, after 22 years in prison, Nelson Mandela was actually offered freedom if he gave up the armed struggle against the apartheid government, but he turned it down. Personal freedom was not congruent with his dream for the freedom of all black South Africans. He didn’t know he was going to be free 5 years later, he was serving a life sentence, he could have accepted the offer and relieve himself from the discomforts and trauma of prison life. Many may have considered him a hero still. Twenty-two years in prison is no joke! But he certainly wouldn’t have been a hero of the class we place him today. Not anywhere near.
Have you dreamed before and failed as it were? Dream again! Dream even bigger than you did before, and make up your mind that nothing will make you abort that dream.
