The Thrill Of The Chase: Yourself Then Your Dreams

Did you have a dream in your tender years? Perhaps you aspired to become Superman, to build a castle of your own kingdom or voyage to the moon. Most of us had such whimsical aspirations when we were young and naive, but how about now? How many of us will hesitate or even stammer for a while when being asked “What is your dream?”? It is so easy for kids to understand themselves, as their realm is one of simplicity and enchantment. However, the onset of adulthood thrust upon us real-life problems, making us less imaginative and more “mundane”. Gradually, our souls and mind are drained, then we lose touch with our authentic selves and our cherished dreams.

Mirror of Erised: The Reflection of Yourself

In Harry Potter, the Mirror of Erised is a magical mirror which, according to Albus Dumbledore, unveils the “deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts”. Kat loves this idea so much, as she perceives it as a symbol, wherein our dreams are the reflection of ourselves”. However, even when gazing upon the Mirror of Erised, can we unravel the tapestry of our dreams and attain a deeper understanding of ourselves? Maybe, but not really. As a matter of fact, our desires are boundless, the more we have, the more we want, but to be honest, whether it is the dream that makes us happy, or it is our pleasure and satisfaction? When our true selves remain enigmatic, the answer to our dreams eludes us despite the help of the most powerful wizardry mirror. Henceforth, before chasing your dreams, embark on the quest to rediscover and embrace your authentic self!

“Dreams are illustrations… from the book your soul is writing about you.” ~ Marsha Norman

Now we know the first step is self-exploration, yet how, you may ask? Since it is a journey of self-talk and delving into the depths of our own psyche, take it slowly and do not rush.

The Journey of Kat to Become A Dream Seeker

Before reading the next part, please do not expect a thrilling story with a lot of ups and downs. Kat is like you, and she is you at some points, not a protagonist seen on the pages of books or flickering screens.

Once again, in Harry Potter, the boggart of Newt Scamander, the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, manifests as an office desk. In other words, his biggest fear is being stuck behind the desk. (Yes, Kat is a Potterhead so Harry Potter stuff will be embedded in her writing a lot, but fret not if you are not a fan, she will explain in detail to make sure readers can understand the meaning behind all embodiments). This is where her story begins.

Kat was just a normal girl that you can find in any town in Vietnam. Fortunate as she was, she had secured an office job with stability, satisfactory pay and a professional workplace, which could be deemed the goal of many girls at her age. Nevertheless, that stable life without dreams and motivation became her boggart.

“Knock knock”

Nobody answers because Kat was not there. Her mind was wandering somewhere amidst imaginary lands. She was daydreaming and longed for adventures, so an administrative job and an unwavering and repetitive life were not really her cup of tea. Sitting tightly, dressing nicely and following guidelines, she rarely achieved any accomplishment. Though she cherished the camaraderie shared with her coworkers and the professional but cozy atmosphere there, she felt outcasted, lost and unrecognized, like an empty shell. People around her urged her to settle down and start her own family in the next few years when the time came, which left only a void inside her mind.

At times, Kat found herself questioning whether she was “lunatic”. She had no idea why it was too hard for her to blend into an “ordinary” society where others could lead a happy life and get along with each other. After countless moments of soul-searching and self-talking, she decided to stop blaming herself for being a nut, then came to another conclusion: “Maybe I just do not belong here”. Kat grasped all her courage and set forth to apply for a Marketing position in Malaysia – a country she had never been to, and fortune favored her, she was shortlisted. She was her daddy’s little girl, so she had been safe and sound under her parents’ protection and within her security blanket. She was perplexed and scared, but the idea of being unchanged was even more frightening than traveling to a faraway country. Thus, she decided to explore beyond her comfort zone and challenge herself to her very core.

Then she realized who she was, a spirited soul yearning for adventures and freedom. Once escaped from that suffocating box, she would never return to the cage but instead, spread her wings to soar into uncharted lands. That was when she decided to become a Dream Seeker, forever in pursuit of her dreams and happiness.

Taking Risks: Don’t You Dare?

Kat would have continued leading her peaceful and riskless life, adhering to social norms and traditional standards in her motherland without discovering her values or listening to her inner voice if she had not been brave enough to venture into the unknown and explore new horizons. The weighty burdens of reality could have either drained her will to strive or served as a wellspring of motivation, fueling her determination to fight for her dreams. She made the decision to conquer her fear, which unlocked doors to a journey of self-discovery. Hence, taking risks is the key.

Senior folks often say modern generations are so lucky and blessed, as they are worry-free from war, poverty, and food shortage, and some youngsters are so unappreciative that they take these blessings for granted and lead an effortless existence. Why is it the case? Is it because an idle mind is the devil’s playground? Kat believes the root cause lies in the lack of life’s purpose. Conformity makes them so reluctant to dare to be uncomfortable, so they have built the boundaries that keep them safely confined. Over time, their spiritual energy diminishes, leaving them devoid of the drive to pursue goals and merely survive, a lifestyle that Kat perceives as ambiguous. Perhaps they are not necessarily ungrateful, but rather harbor an indifferent attitude towards life.

Breaking free of conformity actually requires a lot of guts, as the temptation of an easy life usually blindfolds us, and human has a tendency to be afraid of the unknown. However, taking risks here does not mean doing dangerous things or putting your life at risk. It entails being prepared to confront adversities in order to develop into a stronger and more mature version of yourself. Why do we have to take risks to realize our essence? Because only when we challenge ourselves to our very core and defy our limits, we can ignite the fire within and awaken the inner voice that holds the answer. Otherwise, we will barely and vaguely survive in our cage (like the abovementioned young folks), enjoying conformity or accepting the boredom that slowly kills our will. The decision ultimately rests with you, for you craft your own stories with your own hands.

Self-awareness: A Life-long Journey

Self-understanding is an ongoing process filled with twists and turns, not a fixed destination. Along the way, you will uncover piece by piece of yourself to gradually form the complete puzzle revealing the grand portrait that represents your desired self. One step at a time. Now question yourself about your existence and your life goals. If you are content and fulfilled, congratulations! If you are filled with doubt and a sense of being lost, then it’s time to spread your wings and become a dream seeker.

Get ready for an exhilarating journey ahead, brimming with challenges, thrills and surprises. Keep in mind that it is not necessarily relocating to a new land, it could involve trying a new job, initiating a new project that you have procrastinated for a long time (like writing a blog) or simply learning a skill that piques your interest (like Tarot reading). If you are stuck with no answer, stay tuned as we can figure out this together. Kat aspires for her stories and experiences to serve as a source of motivation and inspiration to all the lost boys and girls out there.

So go forth, dear dream seekers, and chase your dreams relentlessly. May your path be illuminated by hope, resilience and faith. May your heart be filled with love and courage. May your mind be full of dreams and curiosity.

Keep dreaming, keep seeking, and let your dreams unfold.

With love and endless possibilities,

Kat - The Dream Seeker

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If you find yourself grappling with unanswered questions, Kat warmly invites you to share your stories on her blog. A discussion board will be available where you can share your experiences, seek advice, and engage with others. Rest assured, your story will be posted anonymously, and Kat will offer her insights on the discussion board. Feel free to send an email to kat.thedreamseeker@gmail.com and start your story today!