100 Destinies to Grasp in a Lifetime - 100 Opportunities to Seize in a Lifetime

Author: Tianyu / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Dreams are the foundation of success. Everything we have today is the result of dreams realized in past eras. Without dreams, there would be no phones, computers, cars, airplanes, or any of the conveniences you enjoy today. The most valuable and useful people in the world are those who "can see far into the future of world culture: envision the liberation of humanity from the narrow constraints and superstitions of today, and who can foresee what must be done while also having the ability to bring it about." Juan Rodriguez's father was the foreman at the Rio Piedras sugarcane plantation in Puerto Rico. Juan's job was to drive oxen to plow the fields. He followed the oxen, using a broom handle to guide them, earning $1 a day for 8 hours of continuous work with no time for breaks. Driving oxen to plow was extremely monotonous, but it greatly benefited Juan's life, as the experiences he had there taught him many valuable lessons.
First, the farm owner constantly watched every worker, ensuring they arrived on time and worked diligently. This instilled in him a habit of never being late for any job he took afterward. He also learned to respect his employers and work diligently, more importantly, earn his own money. The thought of not working and claiming illness never crossed his mind. At just 6 years old, he was already doing adult work. Every dollar he earned was crucial for the family, as his father could only earn up to $18 a week. They lived in a simple wooden house with three rooms, the floor was made of dirt, and there was no bathroom. Yet, what made him proud was that he could earn money to help his parents support his two younger brothers and three younger sisters, which gave him confidence. For a person, confidence is one of the most important things they should possess.
When Juan was 7 years old, he found a job at a nearby golf course. His job was to stand on the flat fairways of the golf course, watch where the ball landed, and tell the players, so they could easily find it. If he failed to locate a ball, he would be fired, which is why he never lost a ball. Sometimes, when lying in bed at night, he dreamed of playing golf and earning a lot of money. The more he thought about it, the more he felt he should pursue a career in golf. So, he made his own golf clubs out of a guava branch and a tube, and then hammered an empty can into a shape like a golf ball. Finally, he dug two small holes in the ground and practiced hitting the ball back and forth. He practiced with the same focus as when working in the fields—only now, he was using a golf club instead of a broom handle to drive oxen.
People who dream well remain confident no matter how poor or unfortunate they are. They defy fate and believe that better days will come. It is this dream, this hope, and this constant expectation of a better life that gives us courage, lightens our burdens, and clears the obstacles and setbacks on our path forward. P3-4