A Contemplative Story on Living to Keep the Dream

One of the beautiful things I liked about my wife having our firstborn is that it gave me the opportunity to remember my childhood. Not everything, just the positive ones. I asked: “What are those memories that I am fond of while during my younger days?”

Many things have come to mind. The games I play. The books, or was it the comic books I read? The times spent with my siblings and my friends. Those good old memories which were laid dormant for years revered once again. But of all those activities, I remember, I love the movies I watched.

It unravels and opens my imaginations to which I have cherished. Or so I thought.

What are those anyway? I remembered one of the greatest movies I have seen, and as technology would have it, I’ve read its transcript.

I am sure we all have seen this for this was I believe a blockbuster at that time. The story goes like this: His name is Bastian. He is raised by his father and often dreams about his deceased mother. One day, on his way to school, he was attacked by the bullies. As any scared boy would do, he ran. He ran into a bookshop. While he was in there, the owner happens to be reading an adventure novel which, as he explained, is not the usual in a sense that the character will not end after you have read the book. As his curiosity was aroused, he got the book with a note “I will return this, I promise.” And so he went on reading. The place is called Fantasia. What was once a beautiful fortress is now crumbling with what is described as the “The Nothing.” Only a young warrior can save the ailing empress. His name is Atreu. His mission was to go to the Ivory tower to know what could save the empress. And on he went facing one adventure after the other, embracing his dear life to save Fantasia. With the help of many, he reached and met the oracle at the Ivory tower, and found the solution.

Overwhelmed by the events, he asked: “Why has the “Nothing” happened?”

The oracle replied, “It is because people lost hope and forget to dream.”

It caught me off guard. What an amazing statement. How true it is for some of us, for me. Sometimes, life seems so meaningless. It seems everything is crumbling down, like “Fantasia”. It seems everything is hopeless, destroyed; it seems life is in a misery. And the worst part of it; we blame everyone except ourselves. Not knowing that, what is happening is just an out pour of indecision.

Sometimes we need a time off and reassess ourselves and ask why things happen as it happen. I believe the answer of the oracle is fitting: “It is because we lost hope and forget to dream.” Hopes and dreams are the two most common ingredients for a life to have a meaning. It’s like the fuel that runs our soul. It is the inner motivator. It keeps us sane, keeps us alive. It keeps us on track, focused. It inspires. And inspiration is contagious, it encourages. As for me now, do I have a hope? Do I have a dream? I must say, it wouldn’t be clearer now if not for the reason behind this searching, our daughter – Mishka. While knowing this, two things impressed on me: First, to fortify and to give my hopes and dreams its full meaning is to align it with my Source-the One who has in control of everything. And Second, to remember what Albus Dumbledore once said: “That, it does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” I suppose we do still have to live, to keep the dream.