Daring to Dream... [antikvár]

Introduction - Bevezetés Before we wish to become forward-looking people, before we venture the hiture and face the unknown, we have to discover, so to say, who we are and what has the past given us. We have to look backwards, recreate times and places and names and faces; circustances and experiences which made us what and who we now are. And who and whatv/e hope to be. We have to have dreams. We must dare to dream. As the proverb in my native tounge, Hungarian puts it: "Aki mer, az nyer", i. e. he who dares to dream, will be a vinner at the end. In an english musical a question faces the same truth: "You got to have a dream. If you haven't got a dream, how are you going to have your dream come true?" And maybe even more than plans, goals, aims, hope and dreams you must have faith. Faith in yourself and in God; faith and trust that he who has given you your life will lead you and guide you on your way. It is through his creative spirit that you gain more courage, that you see new visions, that gives you the power to make life enfold anew. It is the faith in and through Jesus Christ, who calls you to follow him, to confess and be a witness in his holy name, to accompany your hurts, disappointments and even sufferings. It is faith in the Crucified and Resurreted Jesus Christ which helps you to prevail, no matter how dark the night, how your mission seem all but possible. I have two points of references which motivated me to this very day. One is the deep conviction and wisdon in St. Paul's personal experience, written in Romans 8, especially verse 18: "For I reckon that the sufferings we now endure bear no comparison with the splendour, as yet unrevealed, which is in store for us.l" (N. E. B.) Here is clearly stated that even sufferings as such have a divine prupose. It is clear that love is not some cheap sentimentalism, but has a very high price, even the body and blod of Jesus Christ, because God so loved the world, so loved (and loves) you and me. The other point of reference is the anecdote about Columbus with his "Non ultra plus". Just consider a moment the feeling Colombus and his men must have had as they came to this point of warning: "No way further" Here is the end. What lies beyond is the endless ocean, the great unknown. Turn back, if you want to play it safe. Venture if you dare! There are many, coundess "non plus ultra" situations in our life. Cul de sack, dead ends, no way further, resignation, maybe even the darkness of a grave. But, "we shall see", "we shall ovecome" "we are not alone", "God with us" - says the voice of determination, the courage to care, the courage to dare, and, as a result: Colombos discovered the brand new worid, America "the beautiful". Let me now name in short some of the major steps leading from Somogymeggyes/Kötcse in Hungary to my "new world", good old England, my second home which took me in as a refugee and gave me so much to be thankful for.