In this post, I discuss – with reference to accomplishments of historic personalities – the importance of encouraging your child to think and dream big, about what s/he wants to achieve in life.
Dreaming big is about living with purpose. It’s important to discover one’s purpose in life as early as possible. By purpose, I mean the ultimate, overriding objective that you aim to achieve over your entire lifetime.
It has been said that a well-defined purpose is actually one that will keep a person busy trying to achieve it till he/she dies. However, that person would derive the greatest satisfaction and fulfillment not just from actualizing that objective, BUT also in the process of working towards that achievement.
In my Self-Development Bible™ print manual titled “Ten Ways You Can Use Self-Development to Create the Future You Want”, I explained that this kind of “purpose” has been described by some as a “Magnificent Obsession”.
As the examples provided below demonstrate, the benefits to be had are not just for you and your child. The larger society stands to benefit as well. And if your child starts working on her BIG dreams early, her chances of success will increase.
If we think of some people who have influenced our societies through their efforts, we can actually deduce what purpose they had.
Consider the following:
Great People Who Dreamt Big – And Won!
1. The late fiery activist Nigerian lawyer – Gani Fawehinmi – was obsessed with fighting for the emancipation of the rights of the common people – the masses, the downtrodden, the poverty stricken and the disadvantaged.
The fact that his purpose was his “obsession” was always obvious to all who saw the passion with which he spoke about it, every single time he has the opportunity. That was why he carried on his crusade successfully for so many decades! And that’s also why he enjoyed such a huge following.
2. Same applies to Fela Anikulapo Kuti – who is now celebrated worldwide for his music and human rights activism via Broadway dramatizations of his life story etc.
Fela chose to educate us through his songs about the folly of our ways and those of our governments/leaders, as well as the need for black people to avoid feeling inferior because of the colour of their skins.
He died living the values he so fervently advocated. Again, that was why he was so phenomenally successful – and acknowledged worldwide – in death – even by those he “preached” against!!
3. And of course there’s South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, who has really given meaning to the idea of living with purpose. Mandela famously gave up 27 long years of his life (in prison) to secure liberation from racial discrimination for people of South Africa.
Anyone who has tried staying in restricted conditions for one hour will know that it is NOT easy to give up your freedom – for half of your useful years on earth – to a cause that many must have told him was doomed to failure.
Yet, Mandela was convinced – and obsessed – enough to persist in pursuing that seemingly impossible dream.
Today, he is a living legend celebrated as an icon all over the world for his efforts and sacrifice.
These people mentioned above are just a few examples. Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King Jnr., and so many others are other well known role models.
What “Purpose” Should Mean To Your Child
By “purpose” I refer to the special talent, skill, insight or ingenuity that your child might have to offer this world.
It is the exclusive niche she might end up – with proper guidance – carving for herself in her nation, on the continent – even across the globe.
That rare, unique quality which would make her name ring a familiar bell in the ears of people in her society or even all over the world…The way Mohammed Ali’s name today still rings very loud, familiar and pleasant bells in all our ears.
That is one man who – despite physical limitations now imposed on him by a nervous disorder – still continues to demonstrate the extraordinary courage and tenacity that has made him the greatest Boxing Heavyweight Champion who ever lived.
Visit www.throughtheeyesoftheworld.com to get some gist of a worldwide documentary about Mohammed’s life, and his impact on people across the world. Our Sports Station 88.9 Brilar FM regularly used some of Ali’s most famous “expressions” in its advertising e.g. "Yes I predict, and I know the score. I’ll be champ of the world in ‘64".
Mohammed has indeed lived the dream he once had!
I honestly believe the world – indeed our individual societies – needs more people with the courage to dream big dreams like these great people did from early on in their lives.
Final Words – My Challenge To YOU!
The purpose of this post is to challenge YOU to give your child the opportunity to dare to dream BIG, the way the great achievers mentioned above did in their time.
Then support her to experience the excitement of striving to accomplish that dream.
As in the Olympics, the joy – for your child – will not necessarily come from winning, but also from having participated. She will get fulfillment from giving it her best shot, and never having to look back with regret that she could have done better.
Let’s give our children that opportunity – even if we never got it when we were their age.
If you really love your kids, you’ll do this for them. And they’ll thank your for it …..all their lives…and who knows, if things go as planned with their BIG dreams, so will many others in your society when your child’s achievement ends up making their lives better!