Peter Pan, Pink Hair, & Pep Talks

What's your childhood dream?

When I was a little girl I wanted to be a singer. A marine biologist. A mom. A writer. An artist. As I got a little bit older, my dreams got a little bit bigger. I wanted to be super rich so I could give to charities. I wanted to travel the world and volunteer in third world countries. Become a foster family. Adopt enough kids to give the mom in Cheaper by the Dozen a run for her money.

I had silly dreams too. I wanted to swim with dolphins. Touch a wale. See lava. Dye my hair pink.

What did you dream of becoming?
What did you hope to someday do?

What are you doing today?

If you're anything like most people, I'm guessing the majority of your childhood dreams have been packed away with the stuffed animals, are about as dusty as the family photos, and as outgrown as the clothes you wore on the day you dreamed them.

Real life has a way of robbing us of our dreams. We forsake the ideas of our youth for the practicality of adulthood. The sad and ironic truth about this is, kids have the dreams and adults have the means. But by the time we reach adulthood, we've had reality pounded so deep into our heads that dreams grow dim. Everything we do centers on having not only a successful career, but a more successful career than the other guy. We don't just want clothes, we want the nicest clothes. We don't just want a house, we want the best house.

Of course, providing for ourselves and being mindful of reality aren’t a bad thing. In fact, they are a necessary part of life. No one likes a free rider. And the last thing we need are more clueless, immature people who refuse to accept responsibility. Unfortunately, running away to Neverland isn't an option anymore. So, what do we do? How can we find a balance between the responsibility and practicality of adulthood, and the joy of following our dreams?

It’s not easy.

But I think the first thing is to remember. Not only to remember your dreams, but remember that you dreamed them in the first place. We have so much to offer this world. You have the capability to dream. I think as adults, we tend to forget that, or forget to make time for it.

The next thing, is to pick a dream, think of something you’ve always wanted to do, and do it. Stop making excuses. Pick a dream, big or small, and make it a reality.

All too often, we underestimate ourselves. We think, “Oh, I wish I could play the piano,” but never sit down at the keys. We dream of changing the world but reason the hours away. “I’ll do it tomorrow, when I’m rich, when I have time…” but tomorrow is always just over the horizon. Rich remains a few hundred, a few thousand dollars more than what we have. And there’s never enough time in a day, a week, a year. Before we know it, there will be no more tomorrows, no more money, no more time.

I’ve heard more excuses than I can list for why people don’t follow their dreams. But the people who really make a difference in this world are the ones who don’t just dream. They do. The people who make a difference don’t make excuses. As Shia LeBeouf would say, "Don't let your dreams be dreams!" (YouTube it).

Remember, living a dream doesn’t have to be some big elaborate thing.

As a kid, I wanted to be a singer. I’m certainly not on a stage, making a living off of my voice, but I sing everywhere I go.

I wanted to be a writer. I have exactly zero published pieces, but I keep a blog and a journal, and write stories for fun whenever I get the chance.

I wanted to be a mom. Although I don’t have children of my own, I am an aunt and a nanny.


Just the other day, I decided it was time to live one more of my dreams. My sister and I went to the store, picked out some pink hair dye, and that night, she helped me put pink highlights in my hair. Some people might think I’m crazy. After all, I’m a 24-year-old woman, and not exactly a punk rock star. But I love it. It reminds me that it’s never too late to chase a dream.

So, what are you going to do? What dream can you pick up and dust off? Perhaps it needs a little modification for the sake of practicality. Maybe it will take some time, some money, or even a bit of courage. So here’s my advice: make time, save money, and take a chance.

If you were waiting for your sign, this is it.
Go get your dreams.

Tomorrow is here.

Who I Am

A Thought

Don't be afraid to be you.

Since the new year, I have experienced a lot of change. I've moved into a new apartment, struggled more than usual with school, been diagnosed with social anxiety (a side-affect of other difficulties), and watched as several meaningful friendships crumbled to the ground.

However, with these trials I've also been given many opportunities. I've made new friends, reconnected with old ones, gotten to know my family better, and continued in school, work, and learning about the gospel. With each trial and each blessing I have been discovering a little more of me.

Life is hard. That's just the way it is. But life doesn't have to be miserable. It's all in the way we look at it. In the past few months, I have felt my heart shatter over and over again; I have been exhausted, in every sense of the word; I have felt betrayed and alone; there have even been times when I have wondered how I could possibly go on.

But I've been learning.

You know what I've learned? I am resilient. I am loyal. And I have more love to give this world than I know what to do with. You know what else I've learned? Broken bones heal and broken hearts still beat. Nothing that I go through has to stop me from being who I am. That goes for you too.

How often does fear keep us from being who we really are? It's easy to get so caught up in the pain of the past, that we guard ourselves, dimming the light that shines from within. What if someone finds me irritating? What if I love, but no one ever loves me back? Better not to speak. Better not to love. But what a sad way to live! I know, because too often, I find myself falling into this trap. The only way I've found to avoid it, is to change my perspective. President Uchtdorf, a respected leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, once gave this advice about keeping a positive attitude amid difficult circumstances:

Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges. This is not a gratitude of the lips but of the soul. It is a gratitude that heals the heart and expands the mind. (General Conference, April, 2014)

Towards the end of this past semester, I had the opportunity to go to a dance performance on campus. The entire event was thought-provoking, creative, and inspiring. The theme of the night had to do with dreams, and each dance was centered on that theme. Through music and movement, day dreams, fairy-tales, dreams of the future...etc were presented in a wide variety. One particular dance, a waltz, really struck me. I soon felt droplets of salt-water splash onto my lap, and had no real explanation as to why. A few days later, I looked up the song from the dance that made me cry, and found this:

*see the video? now is a good time to watch it*

It was the song.

The lyrics, melody, & accompaniment along with the beauty of dance worked in harmony that night, to melt my heart. My mind became clear as the final puzzle piece fell into place.

This is who I am. It's okay that I love deeply, laugh easily, and sing out loud. It's okay that I struggle with focusing, remembering important things, and being in big crowds. I love my quirks. I'm working on my weaknesses. And the greatest people in my life, are the people who see both the good and the bad, the strengths and the weaknesses, the quirks and the potentially annoying habits - all of me, they see it all - but stand beside me anyway. They're the ones who see a beauty in me that I can't even see in myself.

What about you?

Who are you, when you stand in the light? What about when clouds block the sun? Who are you then? Don't stop being you just because things get tough. Don't let heartbreak stop you from giving love, or disappointment keep you from feeling hope. The world needs you. You have strength, talent, and beauty that no one else can offer. You are unique. Your life can be a light for someone else to shine in. Don't let fear dim that light. Don't let fear keep you from being who you are, doing what you love, or believing in something bigger than yourself.

Keep being you. The people who love you for who you are will love you even more. The people who love you for who you're not? Well, you deserve better.

So. What did I learn this semester?

Hold on, trust God, and be you.