Dear Dreamer - by Samuel Ibok

Sometimes the grass is greener, but not sufficient. Other times, it is sufficient but not green. Sometimes there's no grass. Like most people, I had mad dreams growing up. I often imagined myself representing Nigeria in the Olympics. Winning gold for my country and running to hug my mom in the crowd. I imagined wearing a branded "keep dreaming" shirt while attending press conferences and telling my story to the world. A boy from the other side of town who took the road less traveled to the top. With time, I doubted the realization of that dream. All I wanted was to be successful one way or another and take my family to a better place. I was certain that by the age of 20, all of my financial problems would be resolved. But sapa had other plans. Was it a childish dream? I turn around and see my peers living their dreams. Sometimes they live out what we spoke about when we were just kids. More often than not, my reality makes me numb. Why so gifted but broke? Maybe my gift is a curse too. By 23, I was a degree hotter and super-pumped to take the world by surprise. Lol. It seems the joke is on me for now. I've given up several times, but not on myself. Maybe I don't get to run for my country, but I'd definitely run on an Olympic track for fun. Maybe I don't make a million dollars before 30, but I'll sure try to help someone get there. Maybe the big G upstairs planned this. Maybe we are here to help others climb. Maybe our lives are just designed to help someone else achieve their dream. My mom's last words after every call are "remember the promise, the dream." It's engraved in my heart. One day Mama, One day. I believe most people have moments in life when they question everything. This sometimes comes with a feeling of regret or disappointment. You may feel like everything is wrong and that your current state was never part of your life plan. The truth is, "sometimes our dreams seem far from home!" From one dreamer to another, I solicit that you hold on. Don't give up on yourself. "Sometimes it looks like the tree is stunted, but its root is just getting deeper." You've put in the work, so be happy. Wear the "I tried" badge with pride. Again, wear the "I tried" badge with pride. Redefine what victory is to you, and maybe you'll feel and live better. In other words, what if you don't win? Failure is not the end, and it's just information. We are more than our goals. Be grateful for how much you've learned in life, for how close you've come to your dreams, and for the time you still have. Yes, you can, but what if you don't? What would you want to be written on your tomb? It's crazy how society fixes expectations on everyone, and that is just too much pressure. By 20 you should be a graduate, by 30 you should be married, by 40 your kids should be in primary school, and so on. Yo, life's schedule is often different from what we planned, irrespective of how great the plan was. Leave the box! In other words, SWERVE! Keep pushing for tomorrow, but first, live today. Yeah, we are all trying to make the future better when we've not even had a chance to enjoy the moment. I get the idea of postponing self-gratification, but my question is, for how long? Maybe our dreams should be to live every day and enjoy the moment. Please reward yourself. I hope we all get to live our dreams while we breathe freely. Live life now while you can. Sometimes life takes a SWERVE without our consent. Take this pledge with me:-I won't stop dreaming. I will live while I dream. Buy yourself a flower today! I wrote this while listening to "Wild Dreams" by Burna Boy ft. Khalid. #Swerve Learn Unlearn Relearn #LEarn

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