The True Meaning of Dreams and the Power of Strong Desire

It’s a common scene: individuals, especially young children, sharing their dreams for the future. I remember asking my young daughter about her dreams, and her response was incredibly touching: “I want to be a nurse, so I can take care of mummy when she is old.” Her desire and goals filled me with joy as I listened to her share her aspirations.

What Does It Really Mean to Have a Dream?

When we talk about having a dream, it’s not about the kind of dreams we have while sleeping—like nightmares where someone chases you. Those are entirely different. You don’t need to be asleep to know what you want out of life or how you plan to achieve it.

A dream is something you deeply desire to happen in your life. Pay attention to the word “desire”—it’s crucial. It’s not just a casual wish but a strong, driving force. If the desire isn’t strong enough, it remains a mere fantasy. A strong desire is like fuel for a car. When the fuel runs out, the car stops moving until it’s refilled.

This strong desire is what keeps you awake at night and working hard every day. It’s a powerful stimulant that energizes your mind and keeps you focused on your goals. A dream can also be described as a strongly desired goal or purpose. Notice the keywords here: desire, goal, and purpose. A goal is like a target you aim for. In football, goalposts are set up on both ends of the field, and the goalkeeper’s job is to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line.

For any football player, the dream is to score a goal against the opponent, ensuring the ball crosses the goal line and winning the match after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Another key word here is “purpose.” Your dream is incomplete without a clear purpose. If you aspire to be a lawyer, there must be a reason behind that career choice.

When the purpose of a dream is not well defined, pursuing and achieving it becomes extremely difficult. However, when the purpose is clear, the journey becomes much easier.

Does Your Dream Excite You?

As we grow up, we all have different dreams. But as we mature and face the realities of life, some of these dreams are often discarded in favor of more tangible goals. The essence of having a dream lies in the excitement it brings to our lives. If your dream doesn’t excite you, then something might be off.

A dream should be like a glowing flame that warms your heart and brings you happiness. The satisfaction and fulfillment you feel from pursuing your dreams and seeing them come true are unparalleled. Every football player dreams of playing in the World Cup. Seeing your country qualify and your name on the list of players is what dreams are made of. It’s not just about winning; it’s about achieving something significant in your career.