WHY DO SOME PEOPLE ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS WHILE OTHERS DON'T?

Insight 1: Desire

The stronger the desire, the easier help will come. Paulo Coelho, in his famous work "The Alchemist," quotes: "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." Personally, I often fall into the trap of pretending not to care about something, hoping that good fortune will favor the foolish. But "what is important is the hidden motivation and drive, not its form." Therefore, I don't play tricks with life by loudly proclaiming that I want something while secretly preparing a backup plan just in case it doesn't happen, so at least I stay safe. Many things require us to go all-in rather than just 50-50. The more valuable something is, the higher the price to pay. A common trap: Achieving someone else's dream, not your own.

Insight 2: Trust and Faith

Trust is different from belief. Belief is actually doubt, two sides of the same coin. Belief contains doubt. You doubt one thing, so you believe in another. Trust is different. Trust is neither belief nor doubt. It is open. It opens oneself to life. Trust in a teacher is not about trusting the person but the life manifested in that form. By doing so, we don't get stuck with one person or one pleasant experience. Faith is true, earnest, and enduring trust. A story tells of a seeker who asked a Master: "Please tell me the shortest path to self-realization?" The Master replied: "There is no long path and no short path, only those with more or less fervor." Indeed, desire accompanied by trust and faith is the inner force that gradually shapes everything. A common trap: Doubting everything. This isn't right, that isn't right. Freezing oneself.

Insight 3: Honesty. Innocence. Love. Art.

Being honest with oneself allows for the most innocent engagement in one's activities. Honesty and innocence are the foundations for love to appear, the liquid that turns everything you touch into a work of art. Professor Phan Văn Trường humorously describes that polishing shoes with love is akin to crafting an art piece that beautifies the world. A quote by Nguyễn Nhật Ánh states: "With a heart full of love, life will never have the chance to become a burden." A common trap: The opposite of the quoted statement.

Insight 4: Determination. Perseverance. Patience.

When asked about the secret to her legacy, Mỹ Linh worried her answer might disappoint, as she said: "Honestly, there's nothing extraordinary about it. When others give up, I keep going." Hoàng Nam Tiến calls it determination, perseverance, and patience. Thinking alone is not enough. Just voicing your desires is insufficient. Action, steadfast, persistent, and patient action, is required. Soft water, when concentrated into a high-pressure stream, can cut through something as hard as diamonds. A common trap: Giving up halfway.

Insight 5: Trust and Experience.

This naturally follows if the above process is activated. Trust creates experience. Experience then generates trust. Like the cycle of a water wheel. Weekend musings.

Conclusion

The insights above show that to realize dreams and achieve success, we need a strong desire, trust and faith, honesty with oneself, determination, perseverance, patience, and finally, trust and experience. These elements are not just abstract concepts but fundamental principles that bring us closer to our goals. Don’t be afraid of challenges or feel weary when faced with difficulties; maintain your faith and keep taking action. Life is a long journey, and it is the patient, loving steps we take that will lead us to our destination. Live with sincerity, cherish every moment, and turn everything you do into art. Ultimately, what matters most is not giving up, as determination and persistence will always be rewarded.