How Big Are Your Dreams?

Booker T. Washington once said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” More poignant words have never been spoken, as life itself is filled with challenges. How we deal with such challenges determines our character.

This statement, old and rustic as it may be, should be the rule, in my opinion, on how to achieve success. Unfortunately though, many will never fully understand, nor truly grasp the meaning – unless you truly desire to do so. What will your legacy be? How will the world remember you when you die? Needless to say, one must be willing to sacrifice, focus and stay on course, no matter what life throws at you.

Difficult as this may be, the legacy that we leave, not only for ourselves, but also for our children, should be in the forefront of our minds each day. A clear vision, mixed with the ability to dream, and dream “BIG” should be our passion. I am a true believer in my vision, even if no one else is. “They will come around”, is my motto and they have.

My belief, as I have stated before many times, is that God should be the only one who is able to deny me my wishes. This however, must be coupled with hard work, as a dream needs not only support, but also your genuine focus even if you lose some friends along the way.

“So Sandy, you mean to God seh yu not coming out wid us tonight of all nights?” my girlfriends complained to me over the last few years. “Why are you so boring?”, they continued to say.

“No man, you guys just go ahead, as I have a lot of work to do,” I would often reply. This has been my life for the last few years, as work has been my primary focus.

While I concentrated on nothing but work, it certainly has made me appreciate the value of hard work. I have also finally come to realize that yes, hard work does pay off. I have less time for tomfoolery or any situation that takes my focus away. Unfortunately, this goes for my private life as well. I have learnt that there is only one life to live, one chance that we have been given to make this right. With that being said, I realize that there is no do-over.

I am fighting, clawing with every fiber of my being, to leave a legacy for my children, something to pass on, something for them to be proud of. Friends, family members or enemies that do not understand this goal of mine, is left by the wayside, or just totally ignored in order for me to remain focused on my goals.

I am glad, ecstatic even at times at the choice that I made over the last few years to toil away, and focus on my work, even on those lonely, dreary and depressing Saturday nights. The lesson that I have learnt is that one’s reward might not be immediate, but it will certainly never go unrewarded or unnoticed.

Your goals might not be similar to the next man’s, but your individual dream will certainly have a chance of being fulfilled, even though it may seem unlikely because of your circumstance, culture or race. As Lupita Nyong’o said during her Oscar acceptance speech for the best supporting actress for her role in 12 years a slave: “No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.”

Sandy Daley is a columnist, radio and television personality and actress. She is also the author of “Whose Vagina Is It, Really?” She can be contacted at: Website: www.sandydaley.com, Facebook: womanincontrol@facebook.com, Twitter: twitter.com/whosevaginaisit and/or Email: thesinglegirlspot@gmail.com.