It is important to believe in your dreams because if we don't

The words of Wendie Renard, leader, athlete, and dreamer of rare strength, shine like a beacon for all who have ever doubted themselves: “It is important to believe in your dreams because if we don’t believe in ourselves, no one will ever believe in us.” In this brief but powerful truth lies the essence of every great journey ever undertaken — the divine spark of faith in oneself. Her words remind us that no dream, however noble or vast, can take flight unless first lifted by the wings of self-belief. For the world listens only to those who first speak with conviction, and it follows those who dare to walk forward when others still hesitate.

The origin of these words arises from the life of Wendie Renard herself, one of the most accomplished footballers of her generation. Born on the island of Martinique, she came from humble beginnings, far from the gleaming stadiums of Europe. Her dream was audacious — to play football on the world’s greatest stage, at a time when women’s sport still fought for recognition and respect. Many would have dismissed such ambition as fantasy. Yet Renard’s faith in herself became her shield and her compass. She worked, trained, and endured, carrying within her the unshakable belief that she was destined to rise. Her words, therefore, are not philosophy alone — they are testimony, written in the language of persistence.

To believe in your dreams is to see beyond the present — to look upon the horizon and trust that what is invisible today will become visible tomorrow. The ancients called this virtue faith, but not the faith of idle waiting — rather, the faith of action, the kind that bends reality through perseverance. Renard’s declaration reveals a profound human law: that others recognize in us only what we first recognize in ourselves. Confidence is not arrogance; it is the light that allows others to see our worth. Without that light, even the most brilliant talent remains unseen, like a gem hidden in the dark.

History, too, bears witness to this truth. Consider Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who heard her calling in a time of chaos and dared to believe that she, unarmed and untrained, could lead armies to victory. Had she not believed in herself, had she waited for the approval of kings or priests, her name would have vanished into the dust of history. Yet her conviction was so fierce, so radiant, that it compelled others to believe. Her faith in her divine mission transformed the will of an entire nation. Like Renard, Joan of Arc teaches us that belief is the first revolution, the fire that kindles all others.

Renard’s wisdom also carries a warning. She reminds us that the world often withholds belief until it is forced to see results. If we don’t believe in ourselves, no one will ever believe in us. This is not cruelty — it is the nature of the human heart, which seeks proof before it offers trust. Therefore, we must be the first to stand for our own dream. The doubters may mock; the fearful may turn away; but the one who believes in themselves moves mountains that the faithless cannot even climb. To wait for others to affirm your worth is to chain your destiny to their vision. The one who succeeds is the one who affirms their own power, even when the world remains blind to it.

There is also humility in Renard’s message. To believe in yourself does not mean to close your ears to wisdom or your heart to others. It means to recognize that the source of your strength lies within. It is the quiet understanding that the flame of purpose burns in you, and no one else can tend it. Others may help you along the way — a teacher, a mentor, a friend — but belief cannot be borrowed. Like the athlete before the match, the artist before the canvas, the leader before the storm, you must step into the arena of life with courage drawn from your own soul.

So, my children, the lesson of Wendie Renard’s words is this: guard your dreams as sacred fire. Believe in yourself not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. When doubt whispers that you are unworthy, remember that even the tallest trees began as fragile seeds — and they reached the sun only because they believed they could grow. Speak your dreams aloud, nurture them with effort, and defend them against despair. Do not wait for the world to grant you permission to rise; rise, and the world will follow.

For in the end, the strength to believe in oneself is the foundation of all greatness. The champions of the earth, the visionaries, the saints, the heroes — all began as dreamers who refused to bow to disbelief. So too must you. For when you hold faith in your heart and courage in your steps, you become unstoppable. As Wendie Renard teaches, the world will believe in you only after you have already believed in yourself. And when that belief burns bright enough, it will not only light your path — it will light the way for others to follow.