The Dream

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"If I had all the knowledge I have now when I was younger my answer to 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' would always be 'I want to be independent!'"

We come into this world dependent on others because we are incapable of doing things by ourselves. Family members feed, bathe, clothe and even make decisions for us. As we grow older we begin to reclaim our independence slowly. 
Our first steps to independence are the very first steps we take as we try to walk. Then we begin to feed ourselves, dress and make our own decisions. Some people get so used to having control of our lives that it can be difficult for them to allow us to become independent. They find different ways to keep controlling us. 

I remember that from a young age all I wanted was to be independent. There were so many reasons for that. The one reason is that I felt like a burden to people. The Poor Orphan Girl that everybody felt obliged to take care of. Another reason was that being dependent made me feel indebted to people. I hated that feeling. At such a young age I already owed so many people so much.

I also felt that my parents already gave me too much so I avoided asking for anything else. If I needed something I would work to get it for myself. When we were in primary school we used to get an allowance and that was the money I would use to get the things I wanted. In High School I started a little business; we were no longer getting an allowance.

I had some money saved up so I asked my mom to take me to Makro so I would buy some Oreos, Smarties and some other snacks. I invested everything I had in this business. Although I was competing with the school tuckshop I was very successful. My products were cheaper and available during all school hours. There were days where I would run out of stock in the first four hours of school.

In 2014, I took a gap year but I didn't stop making my own money. I got my first job as a tutor.

In my first year of college, I started a braiding business. My academics were not affected by this. In my third year, I would bake some cakes and make cheesecake and sell a slice for R10. My thirst for independence was so great that I would do anything to avoid asking my parents for money. 

Now I have a job and I am able to take care of myself and I can't even imagine having to depend on others. At least not financially. So the dream is to have financial freedom. I read in many books that we need to "stop working for money and let money work for us." I want to make money in my sleep. I know some of you are probably thinking that 'money' doesn't make you happy. 

You are right. Money in itself doesn't make anybody happy. What makes us happy is what we can do with the money we have. For some travelling around the world makes them happy. Money will enable them to seek that happiness. Some may feel happy when they go shopping money enables them to do that. I guess the dream is to be happy. Being able to take care of myself makes me happy.

Independence gives us the freedom to make our own choices. It allows us to cut off the chains of control that some people have on us. If I knew what I know now back then I could have been further in my journey to accomplishing my dreams then I am now.

Often when we are asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We limit ourselves with answers like "I want to be a doctor." "I want to be a pilot." "I want to be a teacher." An answer like "I want to be independent." "I want to be rich." Pose no limits to what you can do to achieve your dreams. You could do or be anything to be independent or rich.

"She got her own thing
That's why I love her
Miss Independent
Ooh the way we shine, Miss Independent"

Neyo

Our dreams should be unlimited. In order for that to happen, we need to change our mindset and get rid of our limiting thought patterns. Unleash your potential and dream bigger.

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