Dreams

By Michael Ngigi

Lake Tiberias, also known as Lake of  Gennesaret, more commonly Lake of Galilee has often played a big role in world history. It is on it’s shores that Israeli song icon Naomi Shemer was born (at Ktvutzat Kinneret) and laid to rest. That may not be familiar but atleast you remember where Jesus recruited a quarter of his disciples. Ever heard of Simon, Andrew and the brothers John and James? Maybe you have heard about Kibbutzim, the coperative farming villages of Israel? Well this is where they began way back in 1909. This water mass happens to be the largest fresh water lake in Israel and also (get this) the lowest fresh water lake in the world! Anyway, I  just thought you’d want to know…

You see, this is no ordinary lake. About 2000 years ago today, Jesus’ disciples are caught in a violent storm on this lake, in the first hour of one morning. They are thrown in fear and confusion and their boat is bashed by high waves. It is tossed about the water dangerously and there is eminent threat that it will break. They try to wrestle this unforgiving natural force and after a while they fall back helpless and wait for the end. It is at the third hour that they see the figure of a man emerge from the darkness walking towards them. Yes, walking. Peter is fearful and points towards the figure as he swears to the other disciples that what they’re are seeing is a ghost.  They are terrified. For a moment, the storm is not their biggest concern. This ghost is.

Jesus emerges from obscurity and tells them to be courageous that he is there with them. They believe in him (Jesus) because they have seen him perform miracles. However, they are not sure if the man they’re looking at is really him. Peter thinks fast and comes up with a deal. That if this man should prove that he really is  Jesus,by giving him (Peter) the ability to walk on water too. Jesus beckons to him and Peter steps out of the boat and starts walking towards Jesus. All the while, his eyes are fixed on his master. Halfway, his attention is diverted to the huge waves that keep rising at the corner of his eye. Immediately, he begins to sink and so Jesus has to save him. They climb back to the boat and the wind storm dies down.

I believe that Peter actually walked on water. I believe that man actually landed on the moon on the 21st day of July, 1969. I believe that Kipchoge Keino won gold over American favourite at the time, Jim Ryun, a year before. Have you ever wondered how men began to fly? Who thought that a piece of metal would fly us from one location to another? How about electricity? Who knew it existed? Who knew that one day it would be one of the most hardest ‘things’ to live without? Who thought you would become what you are today? Manu Chandaria was born in poverty and uncertainty, who would have thought he would be one of the most influential industrialists of our time?

Only yesterday, I told my friends that I will build a city that will be among the most famous in the world. Of-course it became a light moment. But picture this, I never thought I’d be able to own new clothes or even make a living, when I was growing up. But it happened so I have had to dream again. Dream higher. I wanted to own a car, now I’m thinking of a bigger car. I wanted a small nice house but now I’m thinking of a big house because I want to live in it with someone else.

Dreams are never realistic, but watch out, they may come true. Most of the time, what we fear (the bad dream) comes true. Why? Because we remain focused on it. Without knowing, we start inviting the possibility of our fears coming true. What if we did the same for our good dreams? Peter was able to take a few steps on the water because he was focused on his role model. Jesus. Do you have a role model? Every dream has a source. We wanted to fly but we had to get inspiration from the birds. Have you ever noticed the shape of an airplane? It just happens to be a large metal bird. It is essentially a bird.

When we lose sight of our focus, we perish. What would Peter tell you if he were alive today? What would he Tweet?

“Just walked on water! Now I believe! @DoubtingThomas”

Dreams are fulfilled by purpose. So purpose keeps us alive so we could live to see our dreams come true. How I deal with everything that I experience determines how far or close I get to achieving my dreams. Every second counts. The few seconds that we spend worrying. The minutes that we spend complaining. The days that we waste regretting.

Are we ever too old to dream? Never! I know of a wealthy man who became successful in his mid-fifties. He happens to be my mentor.

A dream is never realistic, after all, it is just a dream. That doesn’t mean that you can never be the biggest actor in Hollywood? Ask Djimon Gaston Honsou. Dreams are never final, they only beget bigger dreams. Dr. Manu Chandaria who happens to be my mentor says, “You stop dreaming. You die”. Dreams create success. Dreams are for the strong at heart. They determine all aspects of your life. At first, a dream is vague just like how vague Jesus was to Peter at first.  It gets clearer as it draws towards you. It gets easier to walk towards it, the more visible it becomes. But the trick is to keep focused or else the sinking starts.

I woke up today feeling empty and lost. It feels like my dreams are taking too long to come true. But as I sat to write this article I realized, I have more to be thankful for. I have even more to look forward and be hopeful for. For now, I dream. I wait.

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This note is dedicated to the men and women who toil and labor away from home; in pursuit of happiness.