Follow That Dream

Letter of 19 June 1995: great people pursue dreams with effort and sacrifice; ten years intensive pursuit needed for world-class skill.

Starts with passion, conviction, counting cost in years, money and sacrifice - then plunge if fire still burns.

Road is uphill; stamina fades but love of work and prospect of success sustain; Oscar winners thank support teams.

One winner needs many supporters; fulfilling dreams needs community not solo heroism alone.

Many stop at "I wish I could"; war interrupted Raffles College dreams; some traded dreams for security.

Mother will not dampen dreams but warns to count years; life may change dreams - new hopes equally valid.

Mother chased publishing this book ten years - not youth dream but equally exciting; wishes one of Ming's dreams comes true.

Dreamscape grows more participants; negotiate maze of hurdles; optimism and encouragement dominate tone.

No crowd to see - just you and the future; will it pull forward or push back in fear?

Solitary journey emphasised; difficult choices as future nears.

Ease in maintaining status quo is not how we grow; first step hardest with no turning back.

Antithesis between comfort and change; symbolism of status quo as stagnation.

You need to believe in yourself for your future to be on track.

Direct address to reader; motivational tone shifting to determination.

The first step is the hardest - metaphor for beginning personal development; self-belief essential though not sole factor.

Rhyme scheme steady; imagery of future as unknown requiring courage and leap of faith.