By Dr. Amira Ayad (The True Secret)
How many times have you thrown away big dreams and opportunities because you were convinced that they were just not’right’ for you or that this was not the ‘right’ time for change and growth?
Some people avoid big dreams so that they will not get frustrated if they fail to achieve them. A fifty-year-old woman once advised her friend to pursue a college degree in teaching, since her friend loved working with young children.
“Do you know what age I will be when I get my degree?” her friend exclaimed.
“Exactly the same age you would be if you didn’t get it,” the lady replied.
Taking on a new challenge, switching careers, or following a new path can be done at any time in life. As the saying goes, better late than never. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us: “If the Day of Resurrection comes while a seedling is in the hand of one of you, let him plant it.”
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says in the Qur’an: “Therefore, when you are free [from your immediate task], still labour hard” ( Qur’an 94: 7)
We must always remember the next verse, too, because it completes the meaning of the previous one:
“And to Allah alone tum all your intentions and hopes and your invocations” (Qur’an 94: 8)
You should live in the moment and enjoy your achievements, but at the same time set intentions for your future goals, and always remember to be sincere in your intentions.
When I talk about challenges, I always hear two main complaints: “I don’t have time.” Or “I have no special talent” Organize and simplify your life, and most importantly, put your priorities straight. In my first book, Healing Body and Soul, I related the story of a friend who complained to me about being a true loser.
She was convinced that she was good at nothing, that she possessed no talents whatsoever. I sat with her and tried to make her think about all the things that she really enjoys doing, her hobbies and what she was good at. After a long discussion, she only came up with two skills: she loved shopping at expensive department stores and enjoyed eating in fancy, five star restaurants. I could not conceive of any possible way to help her out, so I left, urging her to think of other and more ‘useful’ things to do.
A few days later, I was looking at a job recruitment site when my eyes fell on a very strange career category. A renowned company was seeking a ‘mystery shopper’. The job description went as follows: “The person required has to love shopping and dining in the highest standard stores and restaurants.
He/she will then be charged with writing reports evaluating these places in terms of service quality and employee efficiency.” That was it! There was actually something there waiting especially for my friend, demanding her particular passion and total dedication. With her unique talents, she could excel at helping different companies in the hospitality industry to improve their quality standards.
This example may be extreme, but it illustrates perfectly how we all have hidden potential just waiting to be explored. Never underestimate the value of your hobbies and interests. Never think that you have nothing to contribute.
Take a moment to consider making some changes. In your journal, list twenty changes (or new activities) you would like to adopt, whether big or small. Quickly write whatever crosses your mind. Don’t stop or assess; just record the first twenty thoughts that come to your mind.
They may be anything: get a haircut, buy a new set of china, find a better friend, join an art class, learn to sew, repaint the house, take computer programming courses, write a novel, go back to college, fly an airplane, start a scout movement. Select two of them and commit yourself to doing them, or at least taking the first step towards accomplishing them, this week.
If you are having trouble determining what you are good at, dig deeper, look around you, ask friends to help you and consider investigating different fields and topics that have sparked your interest.
Go to a bookstore or a library this week and give yourself enough time to browse through a number of books. Look at some new topics. Then choose a book that looks interesting and, at the same time, is in a totally new field that you are curious to learn about. It can be anything from science, computers, math, literature, journalism, cooking, nutrition, medicine, fashion, interior design…
Enjoy your reading and see what thoughts or inspirations the book will bring out of you. Reconsider the next yearly plan that you developed in the previous exercises. Are your plans the right size for you? Too big (because you do not want to get frustrated or overwhelmed and risk giving it all up)? Too small (because you do not want your potential to go untapped and rust away)? Did you challenge yourself enough?
Reread your time-travelling trip to twenty years in the future. Would you like to add something? Now refer back to your list of apples. Is there anything in common between those lists? Are your plans and life dreams conforming to your passions?
Do any of your plans and dreams stir up in you extra fervour and enthusiasm? Do any of your apples constitute a hidden dream that you are longing to execute? Write it down. Add more apples, more dreams, or more hopes, if you feel like it. Don’t be afraid to dream.
