Can Dreams Come True?

One day, while working on my first book draft, I received a phone call from a marketing company. Jesse said, “Amritha, we got your contact from one of our sister concerns and heard you’re publishing a book. Would you like to launch it at the Manhattan Book Confab?” The word Manhattan echoed in my head—Manhattan, Manhattan—and instantly brought back memories from my school days. Have you ever heard a word, a song, or a sound that immediately brought back memories? Back in grade 11, a classmate in India told me he was going to Manhattan with his family. I thought, "Wow, what’s Manhattan?" When I found out, I thought, “Wow, he’s got a rich dad. It’s easy for him. Will I ever go to Manhattan?” That thought remained a distant dream for many years.

Years later, when I heard Manhattan again, it suddenly felt like that distant dream could actually become a reality. Good luck, they say, is when preparedness meets opportunity—and the opportunity had arrived. Immediately, I was ready. Without a second thought, I signed up for the book launch in Manhattan. I shared the big news with my family. At first, my husband and girls couldn’t believe it, but once they realized I wasn’t joking, they were thrilled. I wanted to shout to the sky, "We’re going to Manhattan!" I bet some neighbors thought, "What’s Manhattan?" We booked our tickets, packed our bags, and made a list of places to visit—Times Square, Broadway, the Statue of Liberty, all while secretly hoping to bump into our favourite celebrities, preferably Tom Hanks.

The day of the trip arrived, and we boarded the flight filled with excitement. I felt like a celebrity heading to an award show, with special treatment and meals on the flight. When we finally landed in New Jersey and took a cab to Manhattan, I couldn’t wait to step into the city. But as soon as I stepped out of the cab, I was in the midst of a massive concrete jungle. People rushed by, all seemingly in a hurry, with anger and sadness painted on their faces. This was not the Manhattan I had imagined. It wasn’t the happiest place on earth. However, I kept walking, heading to the book launch location. As I entered, I was greeted by smiling faces of authors and organizers. I walked onto a red carpet and was stunned to see my book and photos on the walls. I couldn’t believe I was sitting among renowned authors and publishers from across the globe. People asked to take pictures with me and get my book autographed, and I felt deeply proud and blessed.

A few moments later, the MC, John, called my name to present my book. I walked to the podium, holding my book, "Wisdom of the Unshakeable", as the audience cheered. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and connection to a higher power. It was as if God had remembered all the small things I had forgotten along the way. This journey, this dream, had led me to my true purpose—to inspire, educate, and uplift others.

What made my dreams come true?

Faith in a higher power, self-belief, the courage to seize opportunities, and the unwavering support from my coaches and family. Launching my book was not just a goal; it was a dream that helped me overcome self-doubt, procrastination, and fear—guiding me to shine my inner light.

So, dream big and create your destiny because the world is waiting for you.

What’s your dream, and how can you make it come true?

As Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

In 2010, I was a professional mom working at an MNC, trying to balance the demands of a 10-month-old baby with my career and home life. I was completely exhausted but ignored the physical and emotional signals of burnout, until the pain became impossible to ignore. What started as mild discomfort soon turned into debilitating back pain, leaving me unable to get out of bed. After seeing multiple physicians and undergoing an MRI, I was diagnosed with acute cervical spondylosis. Five of the seven vertebrae in my neck had degenerated. The only solution offered was spine surgery, but I wasn’t ready to take that step. I felt helpless and stuck.

I returned home feeling lost and overwhelmed, unsure of how to move forward. That’s when I reached a turning point—my ego surrendered, and I started searching for alternative solutions. A few days later, a family friend suggested I consult a renowned Naturopath who specialized in chronic conditions. I took their advice and sought treatment from Swami Nirmalanda Giri. Over the course of 10 months, the intense treatment helped my body begin to recover, and by the end, I was able to walk again and return to work.

However, despite regaining my physical health, I still struggled with emotional pain. Anger, guilt, shame, and self-doubt weighed me down. One day, after a difficult conversation with a coworker, I returned home feeling deeply sad. As I sat crying, a question suddenly came to my mind: Who is suffering? After a few hours, the answer became clear—my mind. In that moment, I stopped crying and began searching for ways to calm my mind.

I looked around and found the Holy Bhagavad Gita on my bookshelf. I opened it, hoping to find some guidance, and discovered the concept of the Gunas, which are the qualities of the mind. As I explored this concept, I developed an Emotional Fitness Routine that helped me break free from emotional pain. Through this practice, I was able to cultivate resilience and achieve peace of mind, regardless of external circumstances.

This newfound wisdom ignited a deep desire within me to share what I had learned with others to help transform their lives. This journey led me to become a coach, author, and speaker.