60.3 Energy

 60.3 Energy

Question:

Is it sufficient to have a big dream to achieve great success?

 

Answer:

Think lofty thoughts always; even if they fail to materialize, it is

still as good as having materialized.                                                                           (Couplet – 596)

உள்ளுவது எல்லாம் உயர்வுள்ளல் மற்றது

தள்ளினுந் தள்ளாமை நீர்த்து.                                                            (குறள் – 596)

                                                                                                                                 

Explanation:

              Dreams alone cannot guarantee success. The probability of success increases if the dreams are accompanied by appropriate goals, hard work, dedication, and persistence. Even then, it is entirely possible that one may not achieve the desired degree of success. The famous boxer Mike Tyson is quoted as saying, “If I shoot for the moon, even if I don’t get the moon, I might get some clouds.” That is very true. If the big dream is accompanied by dedication, specific goals, hard work, and persistence, one may achieve positive results if not complete success.

 

              One of my brothers had a dream of becoming a General of the Indian army. That was his dream right from a very early age. During his school days, he had studied the life history of Napoleon Bonaparte with great interest and admired Napoleon’s military genius. When he was about eighteen years old, he wanted to join the army. He could only join as a soldier. But his dream of becoming a high-ranking officer was always alive. He appeared for competitive examinations held for the selection of officers. Although he scored very high on the written tests, he failed in the interview. This was primarily due to the bias in the Indian army that once someone was a soldier, he was considered virtually unfit to become an officer. But, in his next attempt, he was successful and became an officer. By virtue of his superior performance, he was promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, and Brigadier General. He was short-listed for the position of Major General. But in India, positions like Major General and above are political appointments. He did not have the political connection required, so he had to retire as a Brigadier General. Even though his dream did not materialize as anticipated, he accomplished most of what he hoped to achieve and had a great career in the Indian army.

 

              The story of my brother is not unique. There are numerous examples of athletes, military generals, politicians, and corporate leaders achieving most of their dreams, if not in their entirety. The process of dreaming and working towards achieving the dream produces a wealth of benefits to the dreamer. Valluvar has thought about this aspect of the dream, and that is why he says that even if the dream does not come true, it is still good to dream and work towards the dream.

 

              So, lofty ideals and big dreams are indeed the basis of success; therefore, one should certainly dream, and persistent hard work towards achieving that dream will invariably make the dream come true.