Now that you have learned how to keep your dreams alive and take a chance, let’s explore how to attain those dreams.  The 13th century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic Mawlana Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī commonly known as Rumi has influenced me a lot in understanding one’s purpose and goals.  There are many beautiful poems that he has penned and has touted philosophies that transcend borders.  I would like to share a few of his wonderful thoughts that I hope you will find motivating in achieving your dreams:

“You were born with wings, why do you prefer to crawl through life?”

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”

“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.  It will not lead you astray.”

“Respond to every call that excites your spirit.”

“Stop acting so small, YOU are the universe in ecstatic motion.”

If this does not inspire you, I am not sure what will.  Realizing your dreams and the strength within you, will motivate you to stay on your course that is your calling and purpose in life.  It is not easy but hard work and determination will keep you on this road towards the ultimate destination.

As you travel on the path, you have to explore the reasons for your dreams.  You should analyze and think about why you want to pursue your dreams or do something – your motivation.  This motivation will provide you with the necessary desire to attain those dreams.  Your motivation can be anything such as a person, place, thing, thought or act.  Regardless of what motivates you, it has to be strong and compelling enough so that you can overcome the difficulties and hurdles that will be on the route.  Don’t get bogged down by the stress and hardships, but turn it in to the hunger and yearning for your motivation.

As you feel this drive, don’t forget about your internal force and uniqueness, because you were meant to soar and reach heights but time, circumstances, situations and maybe even YOU have put the boundaries around your spirit.  So ask yourself, as Rumi writes, “You were born with wings then why am I acting small?”  Let your light shine through, it has the power to influence not only you but others around you.  When you understand the change you can bring about by changing your outlook, your dreams will come true.  Rumi explains this thought as follows, “Yesterday, I was clever so I wanted to change the world.  Today, I am wise so I am changing myself.”

Your dreams and purpose is all about what you love to do.  Be sure of them.  Rumi further elaborates, “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and that desire for that work has been put in every heart.”  If this work is your aim and ambition and it is has been put in your heart, wouldn’t you automatically love it?  So why not pursue what you love and need to do the most?

As we commemorate the International Workers’ Memorial Day on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, let’s remember the workers who have been killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work.  This observance started in Canada in 1984 by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and now has been given international recognition.  According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), each year approximately two million people die as a result of work-related accidents and diseases in the world.  Let’s honor these individuals that risked and sacrificed their lives for their dreams and to make our lives better.  This should be motivation for all of us!

Author: Anjali Chudasama