Dive into the Ocean (연설문)
21/22살 때
I have a question : can we achieve our dreams? I mean, will our dreams actually come true? I’ve been interested in this question, and I have gotten an answer in my own way.
When I was young, I really wanted to be a doctor to help others. That was my dream. But, my dream couldn’t come true. As you see, I’m standing in front of you not as a pre-med student, but as a student majoring in Chinese and Chinese Business. That’s because I was bad at math.
Thus, in my case, my childhood dream could not come true. At this point, I ask you again : can we achieve our dreams? Will our dreams actually come true? My answer is no, but also yes.
Since our childhood, we have grown up with adults who always tell us to “Dream Big”, or that “Dreams come true.” They demand that we should have a respectable job and become a great person. However, only a few achieve their dreams and perhaps most go through failure. They then blame themselves, feel guilty, and regret their mistakes. I'd like to tell those who are going through a rough time to make their dreams come true : “what you’ve failed to achieve is merely a dream of the past. Go ahead and dream a new dream.”
I am not a medical student so I can say that the dream of becoming a doctor failed, but my dream to help others still remains. I am sort of a writer. I have written some kinds of writings. One time, thanks to a great opportunity, I got to put my column about relaxation on the magazine that I have loved to read, and I showed it to my friends. To me, their reactions were amazing. I remember one of my friends said that : “After reading your column, I felt really good. Your column made me feel at ease. Thank you.” Their surprising reactions brought me to a sudden realization.
I can’t save people as a doctor, but I can change their thoughts as a writer. Ever since then, I have written columns on a variety of topics, even a poem which I have never written since I was a kid. Additionally, I have been encouraged with hearty support and stimulating feedbacks from many people. I even have in mind to hold a small solo exhibition about the power of language using my writings. The dream of becoming a doctor failed, but I have still achieved my dream to help others, so I have gotten a new dream.
Even if your dream failed, it doesn’t mean your life failed. Giving up on your life can not be a solution to disappointment. I would like to say that a dream is like putting on the right clothes. When you go shopping, it is not easy to find the right clothes. If you find it, it may cost much more than you thought, or when you try it on, it might not fit well or not look as good as you expected. However, these experiences will become helpful, and someday you will find the right clothes and complete your own style. As you can’t wear all the clothes you would like to wear for various reasons, you also can’t achieve your dreams for various reasons such as environment, capability, and timing. I dare say, through a process of success or failure, you can discover which dream is right for you. Have your dreams fail, and also succeed.
You know how quickly the world changes. Nowadays setting a goal may mean nothing at all, but it is helpful to set up your attitude and values. Keep your purpose in life, but transform your dreams. Dream is not a single job but whatever you eagerly pursue in life. Furthermore, enlarge your dreams.
If you don’t dive into the ocean, you never get to see how marvelous the ocean is. Lead yourself into the ocean and enjoy it with great courage. Whether your exploration ends up successful or not, it is the only chance to reach your quintessence of your life, so dive into the ocean without any hesitation.
Thank you.
2017년 11월 씀
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