Everyone has dreams. And life is full of factors that might prevent those dreams from coming true. One of those factors is certainly a fear of failure. “If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?” Sail solo? Become a pro athlete? Open an orphanage in a castle? These were some of the dreams collected by Epoch Times reporters from Canada to Malaysia when they took this question to the streets of the world.
Lucia Rodrigues Bertussi, 56, Retired Banker (The Epoch Times)
Lucia Rodrigues Bertussi, 56, Retired Banker
I would travel around the world, to Europe, U.S.A., South America ... I would love to see Machu Picchu, as well as the monasteries in China. I don't dare to travel this way because I’m too afraid of getting lost. So, if I knew I could not fail I would certainly do that.
Leonardo Oliva, 38, Bookstore Owner (The Epoch Times)
Leonardo Oliva, 38, Bookstore Owner
I would like to do the same that I do now, my business, a bookstore, or something similar. If I knew I could not fail, I would like organize a little Festival of Literature in my village, for example, every year with Italian writers. For me, it is enough if we can invite Italian writers.
Muzzufer Hussain, 34, Cook in private household (The Epoch Times)
Muzzufer Hussain, 34, Cook in private household
I would learn to be a driver, because a driver earns more money than a cook, and there are opportunities in this field. I want to make a better life for my children and give them an education. I also want to be able to provide for my elderly parents because I am their only son.
Editor's note: In Pakistan, because labor is very cheap, most families have house help, servants who cook and do the dishes.
Lisa Dumonde, Pharmacist (The Epoch Times)
Lisa Dumonde, Pharmacist
I would go to a great architecture school in London, build great buildings, and become world famous.
Ute Knotig, 42, Archaeologist (The Epoch Times)
Ute Knotig, 42, Archaeologist
I would write a book—a book for children. Actually I have always wanted to do this— this is a dream of mine. I have always liked books and I wanted to learn reading long before school. I could not stand waiting to go to school time to learn to read. My parents read to me, but this was always not enough.
Keenan Ndjiva, 17, Chef (The Epoch Times)
Keenan Ndjiva, 17, Chef
I would go enter the NFL [National Football League] Draft for next year, because I know that I’d get in for sure.
Ch'en Yenjou, (L), 21, Kindergarten Teacher (The Epoch Times)
Ch'en Yenjou, (L), 21, Kindergarten Teacher
I would like to open an orphanage in a castle. Then I would cordially invite the most expert psychology coaches, teachers, and tutors, and let all those children who had lost their parents receive the very best education, and let them feel that everyone loves them.
Jorgen Svensson, 40, Teacher (The Epoch Times)
Jorgen Svensson, 40, Teacher
In that case, it would be something very trivial—a football pro. That should be really fun. Otherwise, there is much to do to make the world change for the better.
Summer Tang, 22, Promoter (The Epoch Times)
Summer Tang, 22, Promoter
I would open a restaurant or a cafe, because eating a lot has become a very detailed part of our culture in Malaysia. Since I wouldn’t fail, I would also want to travel around the world.
Beverley Burt, 60, Travel Agent (The Epoch Times)
Beverley Burt, 60, Travel Agent
I’d like to sail on a yacht around the Mediterranean, with or without company. I think I saw Billy Connelly’s wife, Pamela; she did it, and something she did herself. And I thought, wow and how brave are you?
Matthew Ytsma, Teacher, 27 (The Epoch Times)
Matthew Ytsma, Teacher, 27
If I knew I could not fail I would become a professional international cricketer for New Zealand. I'd travel around different countries and go and play in the World Cup. Hopefully the World Cup would be over in the West Indies. I'd hopefully hit the winning runs for the World Cup as well.
Mahesh Agarwal, 26, Industrialist (The Epoch Times)
Mahesh Agarwal, 26, Industrialist
If I knew I could not fail, I would go to the casino and bet a lot of money. I would do things that I thought would otherwise be impossible. I would go on the road and thrill myself by wooing a lot of beautiful females. I would go to risky places in the city and take risks and pull them off.
Look for the Global Q & A column every week, when Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: What is your favorite book from childhood? Why?
