Are my dreams truly mine?
Knowing what I want, but second-guessing: Are these really my dreams or am I just following someone else’s?
I know this topic might resonate the most with young adult who are still figuring out many things in their lives. When we feel that we can achieve anything we want, we work hard to live the life we dream of. But, there is no limit to dreaming.
In todays’s multicutural era, where you can easily see glimpes of somebody’s lives across the world, that much information will, without doubt, influences the way we think. It will eventually shape the way we live and the kind of person we want to become.
Well, it that always a good thing?
I remember coming across a YouTuber who was learning Spanish byherself and eventually became fluent. By that day, I know I had to try it, because I love learning language and why not? I felt the adrenaline and felt like I was getting challenged.
So, I started learning Spanish, made a schedule, stayed persistent almost a year, then I stopped when I still was not fluent enough. Looking back, it was a great experience, although I am not learning Spanish anymore right now, I mean, let’s call it ‘taking a break’. But that whole experience is inspired by her, and in a way, I started making the dream of ‘being able to talk in Spanish’. So, at that time, was I dreaming her dreams?
Not just scooping around, but are we aligning our goals with our true aspirations?
Goals, hopes, or hobbies. We can explore different interests, set goals, and try as many hobbies as we want. Whether things will work the way we expect or not, at least we have tried, and the effort itself is valuable. However, before taking our first step, let’s do a review, are those goals really align with our ultimate dream and our ideal life principles? Are those suits me well or did I just fear of missing out?
As a young muslim, sometimes I feel this fear of missing out. I worry that we are taking this thing and that thing from social media and making them the standard for succes. Are we simply following trends?
The ultimate goal should be clear: to get closer to Allah and attain Jannah. I am afraid we tend to be scooping what looks good and cool from social media or anybody’s around, rather than knowing why that dream matter to us in the first place.
In this case, this is not about restricting ourselves or avoiding opportunities. Having multiple hobbies, that is amazing. Having figures that we admire and wanting to be like them, that is also fine. What we need to ask ourselves: Do I genuinely want this? Am I working towards it based on my passion and talent, or because I want people to see me a certain way?
I want to define ‘why I have that dream itself in the first place before stepping any further’
We are unique and different
Allah reminds us in the Qur’an: ‘Say, everyone works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way’ (Al-Isra’: 84).
We were all created differenty, with unique circumstances and backgrounds. Allah told us to work within the conditions He has set for us. Allah has given each of us a distinct path. While we may never fully understand ourselves and we will always learn along the way. But, if we don’t take the time to know ourselves better, we won’t be able to make the best use of the potential that Allah has given us.
Defining the ultimate goal: what kind of person does Allah want me to be. When we truly understand that life is just about chasing Allah’s love and that the final goal is Jannah, then everything will become clearer.
Let’s define what dreams that we genuinely want to work hard for. While on the journey, we ask Allah to guide us the way.