SATs & Global Change: The Power of Vision
My room was dark and cold as I contemplated whether the chill I felt was through the lack of heating or the cloud of fear floating over me. I pondered on the darkness being a result of the lights going out or simply the confusion and uncertainty that plagued me. For the third day that week, the electricity had been interrupted. With inflation over one thousand percent and unemployment rising to over seventy percent, my beloved country Zimbabwe, was now a sea of corruption, broken hopes, and dreams. I looked down at the wax candle and sadly viewed the fading candle as my own personal representation of losing hope of ever achieving my dreams and visions.
I remember this defining point in my life because it was the day I decided that with an eternal flame of hope inside my heart I would take action towards achieving my vision of staring a new life in the USA and attending college. I almost dropped out of high school because I could not bear to see my parents suffer working daily for meager salaries. Although, I had a deep burning desire to go to college, our local University was constantly closed due to political violence. I then took on the responsibility of helping pay the bills at home. Our money never really had any value so anything we earned was always spent on daily expenses. Since childhood, I had clear visions of where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do but I almost lost hope and accepted defeat as the situation in my country left me powerless.
Joel Barker writes about how action without vision just passes time. My life at that point felt exactly like that, passing time. Dreaming about moving to the USA and attending college, I would imagine the journey, meeting new people, and the academic heights I would reach. Yet, that is all they were, dreams. That night, watching the candle fade, I kept hearing my mother’s words about how the universe would always provide us with everything. With these words echoing in my mind I made a list of actions that I would take to ensure my path to studying in the USA. I analyzed my situation and immediately changed my way of thinking. Nothing was going to stop me from achieving my vision.
I wrote to my aunt in Dallas and asked her to send me practice books on the SAT and information about colleges in Dallas. I explored my options on making more money by changing jobs and industries, accepting a new challenge of a commission based salary. Initially, it was difficult, but I remained focused on my vision of going to the USA and attending college and worked harder and harder as time progressed. My determination impressed my boss and he promoted me to a sales manager. I actually started making enough money to save up for a plane ticket to the USA. Every night before I went to bed, I would voraciously study my SAT handbook and the universe also noticed my positive actions and I was graced with winning a green card lottery. My SAT score was in the top ten percentile and I had saved enough money to move to USA and finally realize my once forgotten dream.
I truly believe that if you develop a vision and follow it through with action you can change your life, you can change your community, your nation and the world. Leaders such as Gandhi and Mandela had positive and inspiring visions, so well developed, that when followed through with action, they changed the history of the world. Vision with action helped achieve my dreams.
Picture Credit: Pure9
Tagged as achieving dreams, college, dallas, determination, dreams, focus, green card, hard work, leadership, power of vision, sales manager, unemployment, usa, vision, vision and change, vision and dreams, zimbabwe + Categorized as Leadership, Proactive Stories
I’m so proud to call you my friend! Thank you for sharing your story – it is truly inspirational!
Great Piece Dhammu, but keep on going, it ended too quickly. Write on !!
Dhamu,
Keep the all encopassing flame of hope and your determination to go further.
I am proud of your achievements so far. You are indeed a role model. Credit also goes to your Mom and Dad for inspiring you.
Love and Light……Kantilal
Al from PTK @ Richland College. I never question your drive and determination to do great things. Am really proud of you bro, but again I knew what you are capable of doing. The world is waiting for you contribution. Your story is unique may God bless you.
Brother Dharmesh, you are the best of the best. Your words have always heartened me. It’s an honor to be acquainted to you.
Dhamu,
A well written story written from the heart. Amazing to have witnessed such an inspired journey. When you spoke of your job I immediately pictured you sitting upstairs in the offices at MW. Proud of you good man. Never let the candle fade…
I am not at all surprised at your achievements Dharmesh. You were among my most promising all-round students at Richland College and one my straight “A” students. I will not be surprised either, to read more about your greater accomplishments in no distant future. Keep it going!
Percy Amamasi.
Thank you everyone for your kind words! Reflecting on this story, the translation from vision into action involved several processes which would not have been possible without the support and guidance of family (especially my parents and elder brother ), friends, and mentors. Through Professor Bacharach’s class, I now have a better understanding of these processes: Mapping the Political Terrain (doing up-front homework), Getting People on Your Side (getting people on board to work for a common interest) and Making Things Happen (getting results) are the keys to turning your vision into a reality. Good luck!
Hello Dharmesh, It is wonderful to hear from you. Your essay is little short of spectacular and I take full credit for anything at all that you accomplish. Seriously, you should consider writing. Perhaps you can assist Zimbabwe someday, somehow, somewhere in their plight.
Marc Wichman
Hello Dharmesh,
I too, am not surprised, to know you is to know the heart of the man you are. Visions like yours are the kinds that burns in the hearts and minds of those who really believe that they can achieve the impossible; hearts such as mine. Fear of rejection, of not being good enough or knowing enough are not factors, but the willingness to keep pushing, knowing that fact about who we and what we have been called to do is all the push we need to bring our visions into reality. Your story resonates with me, and I congratulate you in all your achievements. Good job bro!
Awesome inspiring piece-Perfect timing for all those awaiting college decisions – education is not an entitlement to take for granted but a privileged opportunity. Thanks -I look forward to sharing with Dhiren and Devina
Dhamu,
I’m so very proud of you my friend.We go back a long time,from primary school to high school.The universe has gifted you with what you deserve and I’m sure there is a lot more to come.I would love to share your amazing story of hope and vision.I’m truelly inspired.Well done!!
Brilliant story Dhamu! Thanks for sharing it with everyone. It definitely reminded me of the struggles we shared back home and the dreams I too, had pictured. I suppose if we hadn’t dreamed those dreams, we wouldn’t have had anything to look forward to or pursue. I’m sure your candle has lit many other candles, .. it’s definitely re-lit mine again.
Brother D
This is truly uplifting.
You inspired me prior to meeting you and now, you inspire me even more.
Thanks for sharing and I wish you the best in the years to come.
One Love,
T
Wow, I am so glad to know that you are doing well in your endeavors. I am impressed with knowing you; and by seeing your progress expand into bounds in which you find yourself more fully recognized, or that you see your dreams become a reality, only encourages me to pick up the slack in my own life, so to speak. I love the fact that your progression over just the couple of years, or so, that I have known you has been tracked. I hope you can soak up as much energy at home as you may to make a lasting impact there, if that’s where your heart resides. May everything you do only catapult you further into realms in which you manifest your talents and abilities to do good and rewarding things. Ij is sneaking up quickly behind you, She is also one of those great persons you see with so much potential, that they mean so much to you, that you are grateful you know of them. You two are amazing to me.
Jeej,
This is awe-inspiring. You make us so proud that I’m at a loss for words. May everything you work towards be met with nothing but success.
“Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make them come true.” -Anonymous. You have proven just that.
With all my love,
Malo
Dhamu,
A truly inspirational and touching story. I can just hear mom saying “the universe always provides” and its true.. it always does! We sometimes need reminders of positive thinking, vision and hope and your story came at the perfect time for me.. Thank you for sharing your story with us. We are so proud of you and never let that candle fade.
Wow, what an inspirational story, Dharmesh!
Right after I read your inspirational story I came across the tale below. Keep changing the world
I Wanted To Change The World
By Unknown Monk, 1100 A.D.
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.
Dhamu,
Congratulations on your well-deserved achievements so far buddy. I’m quite sure that you are inspiring to many who cross your path and you are a highlight in your family. Look forward to hearing of your future achievements!
Kets
Hey Dhamu
Brilliant!
Upeksha
I AM IN AWE OF YOU D. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US. I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH ACHIEVING MY DREAMS AS WELL. AS YOU ALREADY KNOW, I TOO MOVED TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY, ISRAEL, AND HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING IN THIS NEW LANGUAGE AS THOUGH I AM IN NURSERY SCHOOL, AS WELL AS GETTING PEOPLE ON MY SIDE WITHOUT BEING APOLOGETIC/SUSPECT ABOUT MY VISION.
JUST LAST WEEK, I WAS VERY SICK WITH AN INFECTION AND MY PARTNER’S MOTHER TOOK ME TO THE HOSPITAL. MY DOCTOR DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND ENGLISH AND BECAUSE OF THE COLOUR OF MY SKIN, BLACK, SHE DECIDED I WAS AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT AND WAS TO BE HANDED OVER TO THE AUTHORITIES. SHE DID NOT ASK FOR ANY ID, WHICH WOULD HAVE REVEALED TO HER THAT I HAVE LEGAL STATUS TO LIVE AND WORK IN ISRAEL.
MY PARTNER’S MOTHER, WHO IS EUROPEAN, HAVING REALISED WHAT WAS GOING ON, FOUGHT FOR MY RIGHTS. THE DOCTOR, FASHIONABLY, APOLOGISED TO HER AND NOT TO ME.
I AM STUDYING TOWARD A BACHELOR’S DEGREE AND ONE OF MY SUBJECTS IS MODERN HEBREW.
I LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE THEY CALL PROJECTS AGAINST ILLEGAL ALIENS ‘OPERATION CLEAN-UP’, A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NO SOCIAL INTEGRATION BETWEEN NATIONALS AND NON-NATIONALS.
MY VISION IS TO BUILD SCHOOLS FOR NEEDY CHILDREN IN MY HOMELAND AND WHEN THERE IS SUCCESS, TO BUILD FOR MY NEIGHBOURS.
Brilliant Dhamu! Proud of you brother! You made it happen – let know of details of graduation! Might actually make it!
Dhamu, that gave me goose-bumps!II Absolutely BRILLIANT!
Dhamu,
We’re all so happy for your achievements, such heart warming words from such a genuine person. You deserve it all, even in the times of strife you were always smiling and joy to be around. I look forward to hearing more of your future accomplishments, SO HUM!
love,
M
well done Dhamu, nice achievements mate… I will definitely share this with all the workmates here at Microwarehouse, i am very happy for you, well done.
Thank you all for your support and comments. Yoco, I know that it seems there are many obstacles right now but just thought I would share something I read once that always keeps my flame going:
Shedding some light from Daily Om Article:
Experiences We Don’t Understand
Sometimes we have an experience that we don’t understand, but if we look deeply, or wait long enough, a reason for that experience will usually reveal itself. All the events in our lives lead to other events, and all that we have manifested in this present moment is the result of past events and experiences. We cannot easily tease apart the many threads that have been woven together to create our current reality. Experiences that don’t make sense, as well as any that we regret, are just as responsible for the good things in our lives as the experiences we do understand or label as “good.”
This is especially important to remember at times when we feel directionless or unsure of what to do. It is often at times like these that we take a job or move to a place without really knowing if it’s the right thing to do. We may ultimately end up leaving the job or the place, but often during that time we will have met someone who becomes an important friend, or we may have an experience that changes us in a profound way. When all the pieces of our life don’t quite make sense, we can remember that there may be some hidden gem of a reason that we are where we are having the experiences we are having.
It’s fun to look back on past experiences with an eye to uncovering those gems—the dreadful temporary job in a bland office building that introduced you to the love of your life; the roommate you couldn’t tolerate who gave you a book that changed your life; the time spent living in a city you didn’t like that led you into a deeper relationship with yourself. Remembering these past experiences can restore our faith in the present. Life is full of buried treasures. Chances are, you’re sitting on some right now.
Dhamu!
Well done dude! what you have achieved is astonishing but expected from one of the “great minds” of our generation.
It is truly an inspiring story and achievement from Zimbabwe to the USA!
You have literally gone from Z –> A !
Well done fellow Zimbo!!!
Good luck and keep us posted with any of future endeavor — i see you inventing something “out of this world”
Amazing story Dharm. You are a true testament of vision and ambition!
Dharmesh:
I loved your article, and continue to be impressed with your vision and drive. In going through life’s experiences, do we realize what we really want. The faster that one can crystalize a vision from these experiences, the faster they can achieve the envisioned outcome.
However, just as you mentioned, without action this vision remains merely a dream. The determination comes from within the heart – the desire to really want the outcome. Most people get stuck in dreams, and do nothing about them.
You chose the outcome that you wanted, mapped out a strategy to achieve them, and finally executed on the strategy.
I remember when you first came to Dallas from Zimbabwe. You had a very clear vision of where you wanted to go, were focused on doing whatever it took to get there.
I am truly delighted with the success that you are acheiving.
Finally, your post reminded me of a book called “The Power of TED” (www.powerofted.com). It refers to making the shift from a victim mindset towards a creator mindset. You have successfully made the shift, and I commend you for it.
Keep the vision, and keep on creating.
Nilesh