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When I was a young girl, my dad brought me a new outfit. It was beautiful—the colors were vibrant, and the shoes that went with it were perfect. I couldn’t wait to show off how good I’d look. I imagined myself walking into school with everyone noticing my fresh new look. But when I got home, something unexpected happened. I tried the outfit on, and it didn’t fit. The shoes were too big, and the clothes seemed oversized for my small frame. My excitement quickly turned to disappointment. I remember standing in front of the mirror, trying to make the outfit look right, but no matter how hard I tried, it was just too big. I was frustrated and a little embarrassed. But then, my mom, seeing how upset I was, smiled and said, “Don’t worry—you’ll grow into it.” At first, that didn’t seem like much of a solution. I wanted to wear the outfit now. But my mom’s words stuck with me. She was right—I wasn’t ready for it yet. I needed time to grow. From that day forward, I became motivated to grow. You see, I was a picky eater, but that changed because I knew I needed to eat to grow into my new outfit. I started finishing my meals, no longer falling asleep at the dinner table with food in my mouth. Every time I thought about skipping a meal, I’d picture that outfit hanging in my closet, waiting for the day it would fit perfectly. I also used to avoid naps because I wanted to keep playing, but my mom had told me that resting would help me grow. I didn’t need much convincing after that. Every afternoon, I’d take my nap willingly, imagining how every minute of rest was bringing me closer to fitting into that outfit. Weeks went by, and every now and then, I’d sneak a look at my shoes and dress. They still didn’t fit, but instead of getting discouraged, I’d remind myself that growth takes time. And slowly, day by day, I got a little taller, a little stronger, and a little closer to wearing my dream outfit. John Maxwell, a great leader, once said, “Keep your dreams bigger than you.” I didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s what I was doing. That outfit was like my dream—something bigger than I was in that moment, but something I knew I could grow into. And here’s the lesson I want to share with you today: Your dreams should be bigger than you. Right now, your dreams might seem too big, too far away, or even impossible. But that’s how they should be. You’re not meant to fit into them right now. You’re meant to grow into them. Patience in Growth Just like I had to wait to fit into my outfit, you need patience to grow into your dreams. Growth takes time. You won’t achieve everything overnight. It’s okay if things seem hard or distant now. Be patient with yourself, because everything worthwhile takes time to develop. Consistency and Discipline Every day, I ate my food and took my naps, even when I didn’t feel like it. I was consistent. That’s what you need to do with your studies, your preparation, and your life. It’s not about one big effort; it’s about small, consistent steps. Studying a little each day, practicing discipline in your habits—that’s what will help you grow. Belief in the Future I kept looking at that outfit, imagining the day I’d finally fit into it. That belief kept me going. In the same way, you have to believe in your future. Maybe the dream of passing your exams or going to university feels far away right now. But you have to visualize it—see it clearly in your mind. Belief is the fuel that will keep you moving forward, even when things are tough. Support Systems Matter I couldn’t have stayed motivated without my mom’s words of encouragement. She reminded me to keep going, even when I felt discouraged. In your journey, you need people who will support you. Your teachers, your friends, your family—they are your support system. Don’t hesitate to lean on them when you need help. Success is never achieved alone. Fueling Your Dreams Growth requires nourishment. I learned to eat properly to fuel my physical growth, but dreams need to be fueled too. Not with food, but with knowledge, preparation, and self-care. Read books, learn new things, ask questions, and take care of yourself. That’s how you nourish your dreams. Rest is Essential I used to hate naps, but I learned that rest is necessary for growth. You can’t grow if you’re constantly running on empty. The same applies to you now. During your exam preparation, don’t forget to rest. You need balance—study hard, but also give your mind and body time to recharge. Growth happens when you rest, just as much as when you’re working hard. Dreams Evolve Eventually, I grew into that outfit. But guess what? By the time I did, I had outgrown it in my heart. I wanted something new, something even bigger. That’s the beauty of dreams—they evolve as you grow. What you dream of today might be just the beginning. Once you reach one dream, you’ll start dreaming of something bigger. And that’s how it should be—always reaching for the next level. Overcoming Disappointment That initial disappointment I felt when the clothes didn’t fit could’ve stopped me from growing, but I didn’t let it. Sometimes, you’ll face setbacks. Maybe you’ll feel like you’re not ready, or things won’t go the way you planned. But don’t let disappointment stop you. Use it as fuel to keep growing. Every setback is just another step on your path to success. So, as you prepare for your exams, remember this: your dreams are supposed to be a size too big. Right now, they may feel far away, but with patience, consistency, belief, and a little help from those around you, you’ll grow into them. And when you do, you’ll look back and realize that the journey—the hard work, the rest, the growth—was just as important as achieving the dream itself. One day, you’ll not only fit into your dream, but you’ll outgrow it and dream even bigger. Thank you.