"استهدف السماء وسوف تحصل على الأرض ملقاة استهدف الأرض ولن تحصل على أي منهما"

Setting your sights high is often the key to achieving great things in life. The idea is simple: if you aim for lofty goals—those that seem almost out of reach—you’ll not only get closer to those heights but also find yourself achieving unexpected successes along the way. However, if you only set your sights on mundane, low-level goals, you may end up with nothing substantial at all.

Think about when this might have been said. It was C.S. Lewis, a renowned writer and thinker, who came up with this insight. He lived through the early to mid-20th century, a time of great upheaval and change. People were grappling with the impact of two world wars, and there was a palpable sense of needing something bigger to hold onto. In such a context, aiming high wasn't just about personal ambition; it was about finding meaning and purpose in a world that often seemed chaotic.

Imagine you’re in high school. You’ve got a big dream of becoming a doctor, but right now, that seems miles away. You could just aim to pass your exams. That’s aiming at earth. But what if you aimed for something higher? You volunteer at the local hospital, join the science club, and start reading medical journals. Even if you don’t get into your first-choice medical school right away, you’ve gained so much experience and knowledge that other opportunities open up. Maybe you find a mentor, or you discover a passion for a specific field of medicine. Your high aim brought unexpected rewards.

So, how do you apply this to your life? Start by setting a goal that excites you and feels significant. Don’t worry if it seems too ambitious. Break it down into smaller steps, and just begin. You might stumble and fall, but that’s part of the journey. Each small success builds momentum and brings you closer to your big goal. And here's a little secret: on the way, you’ll find other amazing opportunities you never even considered.

Now, let’s talk about Jane. Jane always wanted to write a novel. But she doubted herself. “Who am I to write a book?” she often thought. Instead of aiming high, she settled for writing short articles for a local newsletter. She enjoyed it, but it didn’t fulfill her. One day, a friend reminded her of the old saying about aiming at heaven. Jane decided to go for it. She began writing her novel in small bursts—before work, during lunch breaks, late at night. She joined a writing group and attended workshops. It took years, but she finished her book. And guess what? It got published. Along the way, she improved her writing, met incredible people, and even found a side gig as a freelance editor. By aiming high, she gained so much more than she initially imagined.

So, what’s the takeaway here? Don’t be afraid to dream big. Set that high goal, and work towards it with passion and dedication. Along the way, the journey itself—filled with unexpected twists and turns—will bring you rewards you never even dreamed of. Aim at heaven, and you’ll find the earth thrown in.