You are welcome to dream the impossible

Sometimes I saw myself breaking boundaries that seemed beyond what an average Nigerian girl would even think of, because how would one think of running a creative dramatic institution while being one of the best Nigerian playwrights and Theatre directors in history?

How would that same person own a fashion house and host training for young entrepreneurs?

Sometimes I told myself I was being greedy. Yes, an impact had to be made but I couldn't make it all by myself. What would other people be doing? So, I tried to narrow my dreams to only things that seemed achievable in the near future.

I tried to prevent myself from dreaming too much and I said so to my friend when she asked about one of the plans we had talked about together.

“I'm not doing that again, I don't have the time.”

She turned to look at me, not hiding her expression of shock.

“I don't understand. We spent almost four days talking about how we would begin a channel together to promote our acting skills and you're here talking about not having time. What exactly is going on? I know time is not your challenge.”

I sighed wearily. She wasn't someone to give up easily, especially when she was into something.

I was the one who brought up the idea of filming short clips of our acting prowess and posting them on social media to attract visibility. We were both drama queens but it seemed like we were restricted to acting only on stage. Apart from our lecturers in the department and our families, no one else knew we could be dramatic.

“We need the world out there to see us. Everyone makes easy money from what they can do best. This is what we do best, let's make it count”.

She had been excited by the idea, going as far as getting some new clothes that we could use as costumes for the first episode of the comedy skit we talked about. So when I said I was no longer interested, it was like I hit her across the face.

“Treasure,” I turned to her. “There is so much on my hands right now. Besides, if I should start these skits, can I go through with them? Remember that I have other plans to start submitting my drama scripts to radio and television stations, there's school, there's my job, and I feel overwhelmed already.”

That look of confusion did not leave her face. I had never confessed about being overwhelmed by projects especially when they had to do with something I loved doing.

“Something doesn't feel right sunshine,” she moved closer to hold my hands “You know you can always talk to me. Right?”

I hesitated because I knew who she was. Her belief in me scared me most times, she was one of the few people I was afraid to disappoint. When I saw that she wasn't going to move away from the topic, I rose to pace.

“I don't think I can do them all.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I have so many dreams, Tee. Sometimes I chide myself for being so greedy, it's like I want to have all the good life, just for myself.”

She rubbed her eyes impatiently.

“I don't follow you, what are you talking about?”

“There are too many dreams on my hands. I'm scared that I cannot effectively achieve all of them…”

“You've not even tried!” she was up in an instant. “Listen to me, you are one of the most creative people I have met. You can do just about anything, you're just the one stopping yourself.”

“You don't understand…” I was going to head back into the house when she held my arm. “You can make it happen. Remember my former ringtone?” when she began to hum the song, the lyrics came to my lips.

“When your dreams come alive you're unstoppable

Take a shot, chase the sun, find the beautiful

We will glow in the dark turning dust to gold

And we'll dream it possible…”

I had a smile on my lips when we were done singing, we learned it was the customized ringtone for Huawei products then, it was a song we both used to chorus whenever her phone rang.

I threw my arms around her neck still enjoying the strength both she and the song gave me as she sang on.

If I could dream it, then it was possible.