I see you as someone with great depth but are floating on top due to fear. I see you as a dolphin swimming in the vast ocean, but swimming close to the surface. So capable of plunging to the depths of the ocean to discover hidden treasures in the deep waters, yet so afraid to do so. You are someone who can see a great beautiful light coming from the ocean floor, not just see the light but feel it. You know that wonders lie there, your dreams lie there, your goals lie there, your purpose lies there, your destiny lies there, your legacy lies there. And it draws you towards it and sometimes reluctantly you start to take the dive. Eyes looking at the light, heading straight for it. Then you start to feel the pressure of the ocean waters surrounding your body, you are finding it hard to breathe. Now you are getting scared, wanting so badly to go towards the light yet the lack of air and pressure from the water is getting harder and harder to ignore. So what do you do? You turn around and swim right back to the surface. Now you are on familiar grounds again just going about your life floating on the surface. Why do you do that? Why do you turn back up to the surface? Because it is easier to float on the surface than to tackle the depths of the ocean to reach the light no matter how much it beckons, and no matter how much you know that light is what you want more than anything in your life. That dream, goal, vision, purpose, whatever that light is to you, draws you to it in a way that you can’t ignore. You can, and most probably have, put it aside and try to ignore it but it rears its beautiful head every so often.

Our fears a lot of times stop us from dreaming big and even if we dream big it stops us from pursuing it. We get caught up in the norm of getting our education, pursuing a career, getting married, buying a house, having kids, then raising kids. Unless you are working your dream job and living your dream life, there is something missing in your life and you know it. The reason why I am able to say this with such confidence is because that used to be my life, I lived the norm. I dreamt of being a journalist and I wanted to do something to help people. This was my dream ever since I was a teenager. But I didn’t become a journalist and only started to help people and fight for a cause so much later in my life. I became an Accountant instead because I could get a good job, get married, buy a house, have kids, the norm. And my dream of becoming a journalist and travelling the world writing stories became just a dream. I didn’t have the strength to go against the norm and follow my dream. I should say I was too fearful. I chose to swim on the surface instead of taking the plunge into the depths. And thus years went by, I got married, had a son, got divorced, all the while working a job that I hated from the start.

It wasn’t until my son was older and financially independant, that I was able to not only dream again but to actually take the deep plunge and make my dream a reality. I didn’t pursue journalism but I did join the fight against human trafficking. My initial dream of helping people that I had as a teenager finally materialized. I have always wanted to help women and children who have survived some form of violence. And I sought out opportunities and helped in any way I could. In this pursuit the vision for Shal’s Treasurez was born. This is my way of not only helping but making a lasting positive impact in the lives of the women and children who have survived the horrors of human trafficking.

Life has taught me many lessons and one of them is that no matter how long it takes, if we never lose sight of our dreams and when the time comes are not afraid to plunge into the depths despite our fears, then nothing can and will stop us from achieving our dreams. I am a woman of faith so I always remind myself, Faith over Fear. So I’m reminding you of the same. Even if you don’t believe in God, believe in yourself. You are so capable of making all your dreams come true. No matter how much time has passed or you are young and just starting your life, pursue your dreams and doors of opportunity will open up. Just as it did with me. Good luck and God Bless!

Much love,

Shalini