Goal /ɡəʊl/

 a pair of posts linked by a crossbar and typically with a net between, forming a space into or over which the ball has to be sent in order to score.

       
                

      the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

Ever since I was in school, I’ve been trying to figure out the different layers this word entails. 

All the kids around me and even my closest friends always had some goals in life; imagine a 12 year old kid who wants to be an engineer or an athlete. This surely took me by surprise, everyone could see where they wanted to be and sooner or later found a path that leads to their “goals”. 

On the other hand, I didn’t even know what stream to choose in high school or what my interests were. I just used to go with the flow. 

In 11th grade I ‘chose’ to take Science. 

Soon I realized it wasn’t meant for me; switched to Commerce. Then, again, I went with the flow. 

And now, after graduation, it’s time for the ‘young adults’ to step in the real world and show their wOrTh; everyone applying for different colleges & different universities. 

But what about someone who hasn’t (yet) set a goal? Will they finish this ‘race’ in time? 

Dream /driːm/

          

a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.

 a cherished aspiration, ambition or ideal.

Like every other person, even I have dreams that seem unrealistic, far fetched and that are full of uncertainty. 

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.

This is where fear ‘enters the chat’. 

Not knowing what I want has been one of my biggest struggles. But I’ve accepted my dreams, even if they’re not my goals. If I can’t find a path, I know I’ll make one.

B U T . . .

The START is what STOPS most people, including me!

Taking that ① step whether it’s accepting your dream even if it seems impossible, or giving up on your job to follow your passion. 

Everything seems risky in this day and age, that’s what stops us; the risk involved. 

“But the FOOL didn’t know it was impossible, so he did it anyway.”

That’s how dreams come true. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

For me, my dreams are everything. 

I throw them into space like kites, not knowing what they’ll bring back. 

When we’re young, we feel invincible, like we could conquer anything and everything. As we grow up, we’re constantly reminded of our fears, our failures, our vulnerability. 

But dreams are made in seconds, don’t let them die in seconds. 

So feel the fear, and do it anyways. 

Your life is a message to your inner-self as well as the world, make sure it’s inspiring.

PS

this is a note to my future self and my fellow dreamers, to not give up on your dreams ♡

(Eleanor Roosevelt, Anais Nin)

-SHAURYA GULATI