There are those who are dream chasers. With every discipline and fiber in their bodies they will study hard, write down their goals and pursue greater desires beyond themselves.

However and sadly so, we also have those who are destroyers of dreams. People with envy and a lackluster life who bring others down with their unhappiness. Even tragically, that is why “we,” and I mean “we,” must be prepared to defend our dreams.

Tragically we have people in our families who are dream destroyers. That is why we all must focus our “eyes on the prize.”

The first person to be a dream taker in my life was my grandmother on my mother’s side. To justify her actions, she was a bitter woman who had few opportunities in life and only a second-grade education. She had to work hard in the fields since she was a little girl, and when it was time to do my dreams, she would try to knock them down from under me.

It was her typical way to say, “That isn’t possible. You won’t be able to do it! Never.”

I answered affirmatively and cocking my head back, “You will see, I will make it to Italy and send you a postcard from there!” When it came time to visit Italy, I didn’t send her one postcard, but six!

My second dose of scorn came from a horrible six-grade teacher. A teacher ought to be the biggest motivator; well, let’s say this one was downright mean and nasty.

Eyeing through a National Geographic magazine, I discovered the Wonders of the World in a late 1970s issue. Then, on one of the glossy pages saw the Great Wall of China. With crystal eyes of happiness, I raised my hand and said, “Teacher, one day I’ll be at the Great Wall of China!”

She looked at me angrily and cross-eyed, “It’s impossible, Daniel,” almost shouting and making me feel uneasy!

I answered back almost crying, while pointing at my head and then heart, “Teacher, you are wrong! That dream is written here and here!”

It was worth it, because 30 years later I did make it to the Great Wall of China.

If you really want something, you must painfully fight for it, whether you like it or not. Nothing will come easy and if it comes too easy, it isn’t worth it.