Believing in your dream is crucial to achieving it. That was the message I gave to a patient during one of my outpatient clinics, but not before I had told him my story:
"I remember driving down the road to my apartment and seeing the white building on my left. The sun rising above the blue sea to my east created a stunning silhouette of the hospital. I couldn't help but imagine what working there as a doctor would be like, envisioning myself helping patients on such an idyllic island. And that dream became a reality, although it took twenty years of hard work to see the seed I planted into the universe come to fruition".
So, during that consultation with the teenager, he told me about his dream to study graphic design in London. I saw the twinkle in his eye when he mentioned it and how it faded away immediately. I looked him in the eyes and told him not to brush the dream off as unachievable. I reminded him that if I had given up on my dream, I wouldn't be where I am today, working on that idyllic Island of mine.
The story's moral is that believing in your dreams and never giving up on them is essential. Also, we should not let our current or past circumstances define those dreams. As Walt Disney said, if you can dream it, you can do it. Although it might seem daunting, it is essential to remember that we are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it come true. However, we will have to work for it (Richard Bach). With hard work and determination, anything is possible, and don't let anyone or anything discourage you from pursuing your dreams, no matter how big or small they may seem.
Jamiu Busari, associate professor of medical education at FHML and dean Health Professions Education (HOH Academy Aruba)