As a young child, I had big dreams. I had aspirations far beyond my wildest dreams. As I got older, my dreams and aspirations became more realistic. So, here it is. Dreaming from the perspective of a realist. I don’t fantasize of owning a magnificent house someday or hopping on a plane left and right to far off lands. Those aren’t bad dreams to have, but they’re just not for me.

We all aspire for one thing in this world and that is happiness. For some, happiness is money, power, fame, and being the best you can be. When it comes to me, I have a different idea of happiness. My dreams are a little closer to achievable, I guess you could say. I want to be an elementary school teacher, a wife, a mother, and live in a simple house in a simple neighborhood. I’ve noticed through the years that my true happiness comes from the people I surround myself with and not with the things or social status I have gained. Those are what I like to think of as empty buckets of happiness. They only last for as long as you can maintain them and keep on filling.

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake up in the day to find it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”

― T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph

There is nothing wrong with having dreams that may seem far fetched, because you do sometimes achieve those dreams. On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with simple dreams either.

No matter the climb or the height of the ladder, we all must climb to where we want to be.

I’ve had big dreams and I’ve had small dreams, but just because they’re simple like finishing college or getting a teaching job doesn’t mean they’re lesser than wanting to own a mansion or becoming a rock star.

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.”

-Dale Carnegie

What I’m really trying to say is that no matter how big or how small your dreams are, never let someone influence those dreams in a negative way. I have to admit I have been guilty of letting outside forces affect my dreams and my aspirations. I have been steered off course, but I’m proudly back on the right path toward my dreams.

I will leave you with a quote by a man that many of us know. A man who followed his dreams and has become a worldly known author, Dr. Seuss.

"You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You're on your own and you know what you know.

And you are the one who'll decide where to go."