This is a heartfelt letter I wrote to my eldest son, Zin. It carries my reflections on daring to dream, trusting Allah, and never giving up. I share it here so that others may also find inspiration in these words.
Dear Zin,
Please dare to dream and dare to do anything, because Allah has created all human beings equal. Never think that your abilities or background limit you. Shoot for the moon—if you miss, you’ll still land among the stars. Success doesn’t come by chance; you must ignite your own fire and keep it burning.
I have always dared to dream, even when others thought it was impossible. I dared not just once, but countless times. And when I failed, I dared to start again, using those failures as pillars for future success. Alhamdulillah, Allah has always helped me, just as He will help you if you place your trust in Him.
Remember, no one is too great for you to approach with respect and courage. Whether it is a king, a president, or a corporate leader, they are all human beings like us. I myself wrote to leaders such as General Ne Win, General Khin Nyunt, Malaysia’s Prime Ministers, senior ministers, and even international figures like President Bush. I shared my views politely, sometimes asked for favors, and often received good responses. But I never forgot that true help comes only from Allah. The story of Nabi Yusuf (AS), who asked a fellow prisoner for help instead of turning directly to Allah, reminds me always to pray first and depend on Him.
Zin, I dared to dream of being first in class, in university, and even in the country, though my intelligence was only average. Yet Allah fulfilled those dreams. I even made small changes in history—UM/UHKL accepted Burmese doctors and specialists after my efforts, and Bank Negara withdrew the 1Cent coin after my letter was published in The Star. These are reminders that one person’s voice can make a difference.
Obstacles will appear, but they are only hurdles meant to be overcome. Great ideas need both wings and landing gear. Life’s problems are not walls but ladders—each rung is meant to lift you higher. And remember, dreams are free, so free your dreams.
Always keep in mind:
- Excellence is not a skill, it is an attitude.
- To be yourself in a world that pressures you to be someone else is the hardest battle, but it is worth fighting.
- Don’t let anyone steal your dream—it is yours, not theirs.
- Success comes in cans, not in cant’s.
Zin, promise yourself to live your life as a revolution, not just an evolution. Plant trees whose shade you may never sit under. Build foundations with the bricks others throw at you. And most importantly, never stop dreaming, because dreams are the seeds of reality.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart. Put your future in good hands—your own. And remember, it is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.
With love and prayers, Papa
May these thoughts remind us all that dreams are not just for imagining, but for living. With courage, faith, and perseverance, even ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things. Alhamdulillah, everything is possible when we place our trust in Allah.
