Do You Own Your Dream? Part II

“Then you will die without living,” someone said pushing silence away.

“I don’t care what you say,” a small female eased closer as someone handed her a microphone. “If the bank can take it away, I won’t be able to enjoy it until it’s mine.”

“That makes no sense,” someone said.

“When I go up, I have no intention of coming down,” she said swaying her head and her index finger in the air. “So, if I go up there with the bank owning all of my dreams, hard work, effort, time, energy, my stuff,” her right hand resting on her upper chest. “One mistake and my dream will become a nightmare!”

“Damn!” many voices said in unison.

“Still makes no sense,” someone persists.

“Let me share the Cliff Notes,” she eased closer, her fingers demonstrating, painting a picture of understanding. “My family lived in a Sty. My father got a better paying job. We started living like kings and queens on what the bank owns. A financial crisis hit the economy, costing jobs in all areas of business. No job means no income. That’s how I learned that no matter how high up you think you are. Or how perfect you think your life is going, if the bank is a co-owner of your dreams, if you aren’t smart with your finances, you will lose your dream!”

Silence halted heartbeats as many children and adults cough after realization hits.

“You are hired!” Bruce said to her. “What’s your name young lady?”

“Shelia Dinero,” she said smiling.

“So that’s what you meant when you said you choose when to start living,” David Jackson said from his wheelchair.

“Yes son. I dedicated a number of years to focus on paying my creditors and when I owned my business/dreams,” his eyes on Shelia. “I started living the life I want. You see, many of us, the moment we get a high paying job or position, we move up the ladder with our creditors beside, behind and in front of us,” Bruce shared.

“But that could take years,” someone said.

“Like she said,” Bruce pointed to Shelia. “One mistake, whether it’s yours or life’s, and it will cost you’re your dream.”

“So, your main focus is paying the bank off quickly in case any financial crisis occurs, you will still be standing,” David asked wheeling himself closer.

“So, what if nothing happens?” someone else asked,

“Which world do you live in?” Shelia asked. “Humans are in charge; something is going to happen. And I want to be prepared if anything does. As the owner of my dream, I decides who I share it with.”

“But you might still have to go back to the bank?” someone suggests.

“I could get a business partner and still maintain control of my dreams,” Shelia explains.

“Did I say you are hired?” Bruce repeated.

Laughter slides through briefly.

“So, your success sat on your ability to plan ahead?” David asked.

“It’s that simple and one of the best ways is making sure you are the owner of your dream. Like she said.”

“But you still have to fight to maintain your dreams,” Sheila cut in. “But it won’t be the bank.”

“Who will it be?” many voices question.

“Ego, greed, divorce, bad decisions, lack of common sense and planning, etc. What, you think the fight ends because you own your dream. Someone out there will want to take it away from you!”

“How old are you?” Bruce asked.

“Twenty-two,” Sheila answered.

“Are you sure?” Bruce pressed on.

“I don’t think the hospital, or my birth certificate would lie,” she said as everyone laughed.

“You have felt the pain of stolen dreams?”

“Breathe, lived, tasted, and witnessed both parents lost their dreams to a financial institution,” she informs. “And no one is going to take mine away!”

“You are hired!” Bruce repeats, again.

“So, you started living the life you want the moment you became the owner of your dreams,” David said, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“You got it!” Bruce said as the graduates absorbed what was said.

I hate to borrow anything from anyone. So, I practice independent living, even with my finances. I too have experienced what Sheila has. I dreamed of owning my own home since I was ten years old. I would say it, and my mother, certain sisters, and others would laugh at me.

I am the first of my mother’s children to own my own home and probably the second or third of my father’s fourteen children. When I bought my home, the bank owned 48%. It was a ten-year mortgage. I live and think economically dedicating years to paying them to own my dream. Eight and a half years later, my dream became my own.

And no one will take it away from me.

Then I start a new fight to maintain it. The best part of owning your dream is your children will be motivated to own their dreams too.

Whatever crisis hit Jamaica’s economy no one can take my dream away. Plan ahead. Plan carefully and smartly. Own Your Dream!

Do you own your dream?

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank