Visualizing the future

He honked his car for the gateman to open the gate for him to enter. As his front wheel drove past the gate to his expansive compound, he found himself in the real world, away from the imaginary life he just lived.

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Jackson was a young ambitious boy born in a Eka village. He was very loyal to his parents and the parents, in an effort to give him a sound education, enrolled him in a school populated by the children of the elites in the society. Going to such a school made him even more ambitious. His closest friend, Ben, was a son of a Senator. Jackson would always mention that the only privilege he had to mingle with children like Ben was the school they were attending.
On getting to school the following day, Jackson discussed his dream with Ben.

I dreamt of living in a Mansion, driving a Mercedes G Wagon. I was returning from a business trip and as I was just driving into my compound, I woke up. I had wished not to wake up from that dream. When I woke to the mat I was lying on, I was angry and took the dream as a mockery on me because I don't think I can ever live the kind of life I lived there. Those types of dreams are meant for children born with a silver spoon like you.

The last statement didn't go down well with Ben. Though Ben was a son of a rich and powerful senator, he was humble to the core.

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He reminded Jackson of his dislike for anyone thinking that greatness is only meant for children of great people. He believed that anyone can be successful no matter the background.

You can live the life you lived in your dream. If you work hard towards it, that dream might just have visualized your future for you. My dad told me the story of how he grew up. His father was a poor storekeeper but today, my father has changed the narratives. You can do it too.

Ben gave words of inspiration to Jackson.

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Before Jackson returned home that day, a police team had followed his father to come and search their apartment. John, Jackson's father worked in a factory as a guard to the warehouse. Some thieves went to the warehouse in the early hours of the day to steal goods worth millions of Naira. Being the guard on duty, he was arrested for questioning. On getting home, Jackson met his father devastated.
The situation was made worse when one of the thieves was arrested and told the police that he and his team gained access to the facility in connivance with the guard.
After this revelation, Jackson was picked up again. He was detained in the police cell. He was interrogated several times but each time, he insisted he was innocent. Investigation was conducted and he was found innocent but he had already been fired from work. He was advised to challenge his sack in court but he let go of the issue.

Where will I even get money to hire a lawyer? In fact, I don't want to do any case.

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These experiences compounded the state of mind of Jackson who was soon withdrawn from school due to financial challenges. It was difficult for his father to enroll him in a cheaper school, he was enrolled to learn the act of trading in building materials from a friend of John.
Jackson became very quiet and at some times being suspected to be edging towards depression due to the way he thinks. Once in a while, he used to get in contact with Ben who was rounding up his secondary education in their school. When the discussion about the dream Jackson had happened, Ben never ceased to encourage Jackson to believe that the actualization is possible.

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Jackson was very moody one day when his boss called him to inform him of his preparation to travel for some months. Realizing how unattractive the face was, the boss initiated a conversation.

You have spent almost two years here but it seems you have never been a happy person. Though I commend your steadfastness towards anything you do, especially your level of sincerity to this business, I don't seem to be happy either whenever I see you in this state. What is the problem?

I had a dream and I don't think I am on the part to make such a dream a reality. Anytime I remember the dream, I feel sad.

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The boss asked Jackson to narrate the content of the dream which he did. He also lamented how his hope was dashed when he dropped out of school. He believed that education is the only way to make his dream a reality.

You can live the life you visualized in your dream. Education is important and I believe the level you have acquired that makes you speak fluently and write properly is enough to make you a successful businessman especially in this line of business.
The reason I called you is that I will be traveling and I will be handing over the control of this business to you. You have proven yourself in the last two years of your apprenticeship to be a trustworthy personality.

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This information elicited a rare smile on Jackson's face.
Few weeks later, his boss traveled to Canada for some business purposes. The journey yielded some fruits and he needed to return to Canada to head a branch of his investment there. He made Jackson the substantive head of his Nigeria business.
This was the beginning of the change in Jackson's fortune.
Jackson was fateful with his boss despite being away in another continent entirely. The span of time for the apprenticeship was supposed to be two years but Jackson was in his fourth year due to his good dispositions. His boss decided to close his Nigeria business due to his level of engagement in Canada which had made him relocate his family to join him. He went into agreement with Jackson and he sold the investment to him at reduced price and installment payments schedule.

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This last statement made by the boss when finalizing the handover was that the time is ripe for Jackson to live the life he visualized through his dream a few years ago.
Indeed, Jackson's story never remained the same. Some years later, he began to live his dream and beyond, building mansions and riding Mercedes vehicles of his choice.