In this heartfelt TEDx talk, well-known poet Aalok Shrivastav shares the touching story of a boy who dreamed of becoming a writer, even though his family, friends, and coworkers always pushed back. The boy's journey, told as if it were "a friend's" story, shows his toughness—he turned every obstacle into a chance to grow, using failures as ways to move forward.The boy starts a career in journalism but holds onto his dream: to someday watch famous voices bring his poetry to life. His constant effort and compelling writing turn this dream into reality—well-known artists embrace his work, and literary greats sing its praises. This talk shows us that when you mix passion with persistence, even far-fetched dreams can come true. Aalok Shrivastav is an Indian poet, lyricist, and journalist known for capturing the depth of human emotions and life's nuances through his work. His notable contributions include the poetry collection Aameen (2007) and the story collection Afreen (2012), both published by Rajkamal Prakashan, which have been warmly received in literary circles. Throughout his literary journey, he has garnered significant recognition, including the prestigious International Pushkin Award and the Dushyant Kumar Award from the Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, marking his profound impact on contemporary Indian literature. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx