Is It Too Late to Dream Again?

Sometimes, we sit and think about our childhood dreams. We reflect on the things we once wanted to achieve and the person we imagined we’d become.

Back then, everything felt possible. We thought the future was full of endless opportunities. But as we grow older, life starts to look very different and not everyone gets the chance to pursue what they’ve always wanted.

And maybe you are one of them.

You had to make choices you didn’t want to make. There was something you always wanted to do like pursue higher education, start a business, or something else.

But life got in the way. You had to take care of your family, pay off debt, or prioritize other things that felt more important at the time. As the years pass, you might start to think it’s too late. 

And that version of you with a big dream was left behind.

But what if those dreams are still there, waiting for us? 

What if it’s never too late to reconnect with what we once loved?

Courage to try again

Easier said than done. I know it’s not easy to go back to the dreams we once had. We might feel scared of failing or worry that others will judge us. 

The hardest part is always the battle within ourselves, especially if we’ve convinced ourselves that time has passed.

Trying again takes courage because it means being willing to start fresh without knowing if things will go the way we want. It takes real bravery to go back to the things we once loved.

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Lessons from a seed

There is one hadith that I came across and would like to share with you. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW (peace be upon him) once said:

“If the Last Hour comes while one of you has a palm seedling in his hand, which he can plant before it falls, let him plant it.” (Musnad Ahmad)

This hadith teaches us that if we are about to face the end of the world and we have a small palm tree seedling in our hands, we should still plant it. Even in the most difficult times, we should continue doing good things and taking action.

There is always hope, and it’s never too late to try, regardless of the circumstances.

When I think about this hadith, I also realize that just as a seed has the potential to grow into something beautiful, our dreams are still inside us, waiting to blossom.

No matter how long they’ve been buried under life’s challenges, they aren’t gone. All they need is a little courage and the right moment for us to start growing again.

Age is just a number

Dreams are not bound by age.

Many people start new journeys later in life. Some go back for advanced degrees in their 30s, 40s, or even beyond. 

I remember an older man I often saw in the library during my degree. I spent a lot of time in the library back then, and there was one seat I always chose right in front of where he sat.

One day, we had a conversation. He told me that he came to Malaysia in his 50s to pursue his PhD. Of course, hearing that gave me an instant motivation! At that time, I was stressing over assignments while he had flown across the world to chase his dream. 😩

He said he wasn’t doing it for career goals or to impress anyone. But he wanted to do something meaningful for himself. Some people might see it as unnecessary, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was how fulfilled he felt.

Learning and growth aren’t just for work or status, but they’re feeding your soul and living life the way you want, no matter what anyone else thinks.

Keeping the dreams

Every great achievement starts with a dream. And there are many examples of people who have found success later in life. These people also face doubts and challenges, but they overcome their fears and ignore the voices telling them it’s too late to follow their dreams.

Right now, you may feel unable to pursue your dreams due to other commitments. But, don’t let the dreams you’ve planted in your heart fade away. 

As long as those dreams are meaningful, they are worth holding onto.

Keep dreaming, no matter where you are in life. You never know what the future might bring. Even if you don’t reach your dreams exactly as you planned, the journey and the growth you experience along the way will be invaluable.

At the end of the day, it’s not just achieving a specific goal but the journey itself, the connections you make, and the fulfillment that comes from following your heart.

So, don’t be afraid to dream big.  🌱