I find the most incredible stories and experiences come when you least expect it. Kent State hosted an event called the Big Dream Gathering hosted by speaker, author, and coach Mitch Matthews. I like to describe myself as a goal digger, so the thought of having an event where people share their dreams and goals made my completely giddy to the core. He took a mere fifteen minutes out of his day to interview me before hand where I whipped out my rather extensive bucket list and told him my two big dreams: to run the Boston Marathon for charity and to have my Honors Thesis cookbook published once it's completed. His excitement for me radiated which in turn radiated out of me from the minute my story left my mouth until even later that night.

At the Big Dream Gathering that evening Mitch gave the backstory of how he began this journey then presented us with a challenge: give ourselves permission. As we were to write down our dreams he explained the power of giving ourselves permission to dream. One simple dream which may seem too far fetched or out of this world may just be the next great novel or bucket list item. In the event that we did give ourselves this permission he further challenged us to experiment; experiment with your dreams. One idea can lead to another and another until it explodes into an actual tangible life changing goal. Experiment with the idea of letting go of all your can't's and replace them with can's.

I walked around the student Ballroom on campus as people wrote down their dreams on pieces of paper and placed them under different category subheadings throughout the room. Participants were then able to write comments and words of encouragement to others in a way to connect and inspire one another. This is what will change the world. Dreams to travel the world, start their own missionaries and businesses, adopt children without families of their own and others that are so incredibly inspiring it made my dreams feel life changing.

We could pick up our papers later in the evening to see the comments left behind and were encouraged to continue our pursuit of fulfilling these dreams. As a busy college student it can be hard, if not near impossible, to take our dreams and turn them into a reality. But ask yourself this. Where are you reading this? Are you waiting in line to buy groceries? What about scrolling through social media binge watching Netflix? That is 15 minutes of your day that you could be working on making your incredible dream tangible.

15 minutes can become a hour half. A half hour to an hour and by the end of one week that is 3 hours and 15 minutes of taking time for yourself to work on your passion. Give yourself permission to experiment and to dream. Get talking, get writing and get inspired. Your dreams will change the world.