Real life experiences about turning dreams into reality

How to turn dreams into reality

by Mani Jack, M.J.

Chapter 1

I am not sure if magic does exist but our mind is very powerful if we were to stay focus on what we want in life. Is it possible to turn dreams into reality by focusing your mind towards what you want? Let me share my own experiences.

      When I was 16 years old, going to the school canteen during the recess time was not an activity that I adored because I didn't have enough money to buy enough food to feed my stomach that didn't know how to spell the word "full". I would just normally buy a bun and walked away quickly from the canteen as I couldn't stand looking at others who were enjoying their luxurious meals. However, I always imagined having my best meal at the canteen. That visualization had kept my stomach full. One day, my naive classmate was bullied by some students. I was not close to him  because I was new at that school and that boy lived in his own world but there was a voice in my heart telling me to do something. So, I suddenly became a lion. Right before the bully approached him, I stood up and said "Try me instead of him". The crowd was shouting frantically, asking the bully to start the fight. The bully didn't dare to look at my fiery eyes and finally sat down. He was as silent as a stone. The crowd was disappointed but that was the end of it. Starting from that day, no one had ever bullied that boy who finally became my good friend until today. As we got closer, unexpected opportunity came in. He asked me to join him to work as a part-time waiter at one of the 5 star hotels in the city at night. I was speechless. It looked like God, the universe, the small deeds and my focused mind and continuous visualization were working together to turn my dreams into reality. It was a very tiring profession but I finally got the amount of pocket money that I have  been thinking of for so long. Since then, he and I began to enjoy our breakfast to the fullest at the canteen. 

      While waiting for my SPM result (SPM is a public exam for form 5 students/high school in Malaysia), I was hoping that I could continue my study as a form 6 student. Deep in my heart, I was not sure whether I could achieve it or not but I kept thinking about it because that was the cheapest way before I could do my first degree but it was also the riskiest path. I knew that I would not pass my SPM result with flying colours because I was too busy working at night as a waiter to support myself and my family and the worst part was I could only afford to buy the reference books for each subject a month before the exam. It was a very last-minute preparation. When the result was announced, it turned out to be better than my worst fear. It was neither excellent nor bad. It was good enough to help me to register myself as a form 6 student. Once again, God, the universe, the small deeds and my focused mind and continuous visualization were working together to turn my dreams into reality. However, the journey was quite challenging. My application to be a form 6 student was rejected by a few schools. Finally, one school gave me a chance, a chance of a lifetime. A chance that I will treasure for the rest of my life. 

      When I finished my form 6, I began to think of my life as a university student together with specific visualization. At that time, I knew it was impossible for me to do my first degree because my family couldn't afford it. However, not a day went by that I didn't think of that dream because I knew that God was watching and listening. I worked as a waiter at one of the high class cafes in town in which every day I had a chance to meet many types of tourists from all over the world. Everyday I gave my best to my customers and my colleagues. Every customer was treated like kings and queens. I helped my friends at the kitchen even though that was not my job. I tried to get myself busy while waiting for any good news from heaven above. While serving the tourists, I loved to observe how they spent their lives and their money. Sometimes it really broke my heart when I saw them paying the bills because the price of the meal was equal to my one-month salary. I was terribly underpaid. I talked to myself every day when I was alone regarding my financial status  and who I was in the eyes of the society. I told myself that I couldn't work like this for the rest of my life. I must do something to change my destiny. Suddenly in the year of 1999, the government offered a study loan to any students who would like to pursue their tertiary education. My heart was smiling in tears. I believed that I was the luckiest man on earth on that day. I filled in the application form and I was ready to fly. However, a lightning struck my way. My sister asked me to postpone my dream because she wanted me to wait until she  had graduated. I ran amok.  I burnt the form and locked the door. After doing a long self-reflection, I began to accept the fact that  I had to sacrifice first before I could taste victory. I could not be selfish as we depended on each other due to poverty. I accepted her request and had to wait for one year. When she had graduated, it was my turn to turn my dreams into reality. I filled in the application form and quickly wrote the courses that I really wanted. My first choice was a degree in law because I really wanted to be a lawyer while the second choice was a degree in TESL. While waiting for the official reply, I spent my days diving into my funny imagination about my life as a university student. When the offer letter reached my house, I was like a kid who was celebrating his first birthday. I tore the envelope quickly as I wanted to know if I got the first choice. When I opened the offer letter, I was offered to do my first degree in TESL which was my second choice. I was silent and wondered why God didn't give me the first choice. I tried to comfort myself saying that one day I would find the answer. Nevertheless, I was grateful because once again,  God, the universe, the small deeds and my focused mind and continuous visualization were working together to turn my dreams into reality. 

     I am sharing this story because I want those who read these  true stories of mine to continue to fight for your dreams even though everything seems to be impossible. Good luck. I will be writing the second chapter soon. May God bless those who helped me before with lots of blessings every day. Amen. 

A focused mind is a mind that opens the unexpected doors. M.J.