So often, I catch myself saying “Yeah, but that’s just a dream of mine,” when referring to something I would love to accomplish in life.

I have always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember…and never once have I doubted I could do that. It has always been a dream of mine to attend a university after graduating high school to get my degree in Elementary Education. Here I am now a Freshman at an incredible university turning that dream into a goal!

Throughout the years, I have developed a passion for fashion- cliché right? I love shopping, clothes, and all that girly stuff but what I love most about fashion is the confidence it gives girls of all ages. Another aspiration of mine has always been to become a writer one day…I dream of becoming an author and publishing a book that everyone wants to read! Just one is fine by me, I’m not setting out to publish a whole series here, just one will do.

So if all I want to do is publish a single book, why am I setting myself short limiting myself to dreaming of what I want to do? Why do we all set ourselves short every single day? It’s not hard to say this is what I want to do, and Make It Happen!

I know, I know…money is a major factor and it always has been. But if it’s something you truly want to do, work for it! Find time to turn your “always wishing of what could be” into a goal of “this is going to happen!” I feel like we all spend so much time wasting away what could be some of the greatest joys of our lives because we are just too afraid to step out of our comfort zones.

Yes, I love children and I feel like being a teacher I could make a tremendous impact on not just one, but many lives. I want to be one of the reasons my students ARE ABLE to turn Their Dreams into Goals! I want to be the one to remind them that dreams can become reality if that’s what they want to set out to do!

Traveling the world, learning about other cultures, and seeing all of God’s creations has always been something I have dreamed of doing…but once again I just knew there’s no way that would be possible. Luckily, there is an amazing program called Teaching Abroad which will allow me to travel to other countries for a semester and not only witness the beauty of the world God created, but I will be able to teach children from different backgrounds. This is giving me the opportunity of a lifetime which will help me become an even greater teacher!

There are so many opportunities out there in this world and here we are, myself included, still using the term “I wish.” Well you can! It may take a lot of hard work and dedication but if it’s something you really want in this life. Make the most of it and take a risk. Take a risk. Take a chance. Make a change.

When I think of all the different celebrities I could idolize in this world, three certain “characters” come to mind. Brooke Davis, Elle Woods, and Carrie Bradshaw are all fictional characters from different tv series or movies…but I aspire to be like each of them. They each have an undying love for fashion and no matter who tries to stand in their way, they set out to accomplish their goals!!

Brooke Davis fought all odds and a terrible childhood to later create her own fashion line.

Elle Woods knocked down all “blonde” stereotypes, graduating from Harvard Law School.

Carrie Bradshaw, while only in high school, earned a spot interning as a journalist in New York City. There she ran into a woman who led her into the world of fashion.

Each of these characters took “dreams and wishes” and turned them into reality! No, there wasn’t singing and dancing and a bunch of fairytale stuff that makes you believe it couldn’t really happen. So today, I have decided to stop dreaming and wishing of what could be and start setting goals for myself. I am going to start saying “when” instead of “if” and start making my mark in this world. It’s a new year and the perfect time to start believing you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you..

When I become an incredible teacher to the future of America…

When I earn a spot in the fashion industry….

When I publish my own book for the entire world to read…

When I travel the world… I will do great things because I can and because God made it possible.