Do you have dreams? What are dreams? Are dreams real?

Except for one, all of my friends have dreams. Yet this solitary “undreaming” friend seems unaware of any good that can come from dreams. To this friend,  “dreams” project imaginary circumstances and normally are in contrast vis-à-vis the real expectations.

Dreams which are mental images or pictures had been there since time immemorial dating as far back as stories revealed in the Old Testament. In particular, the story of Joseph, the dreamer, and his journey to the land of Egypt after being sold by his jealous brothers is a colorful narrative that is filled with love and heroism.

Dreams enliven a life almost down in the pit of adversities.

Virtually held down in a world of negativity and weakness, dreams can bring color and strength to the broken-hearted and dispirited.

Dreams Work Wonders

As a young boy in Calamba, Laguna, our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, whose family had experienced hardships in the hands of the Spanish colonizers, dreamed that one day peace and independence will finally reign in the country --- a dream that would unite the hearts and aspirations of all freedom-loving Filipinos, led by revolutionary leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, almost 120 years ago on June 12, 1898.

In America, more than two centuries years ago, its founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, ending its bondage as a colony of England, declaring it as the Land of the Free.

The same dream worked wonders to many people all over the world: students, teachers, entrepreneurs, workers, doctors, lawyers and much more.

Turning Dreams into Reality      

The process of turning dreams into reality may differ from one person to another. To many, this could involve long and tedious stages while others could simply THINK about what they have in mind and SETTING them in clear and colored shapes and sizes mentally. And the last stage is drawing up a PLAN on how to implement this dream --- the most important step.

Planning your dream should be done in black and white. The danger of getting out of focus and drifting away could happen and ruin the dream. Thus, writing down every step of the way is necessary.    

The first step in the planning stage is to write down your goals. Writing them down means taking responsibility and believing in the power of goals. Remember that success happens never by chance. And goals drive us to succeed! Think of and make big goals!

Big goals!

Bigger goals!

Biggest goals! 

Now you can write your goals. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable and time-bounded.

Long-term (5 to 10 years)

Medium-term (3 to 5 years) 

Short-term (6 months to 3 years)

Immediate Goals (30 days).

Breaking down your dreams into specific goals is a must! And breaking them down into a daily TO-DO LIST makes them realizable.

St. Josemaria Escriva, the Founder of Opus Dei, once said, “Dream and your dreams will fall short.” This is a strong exhortation to everyone to dream big dreams and see the real world which is full of opportunities unfold right before our eyes if only we dare to dream.

Contributed by
Eduardo Reyes