I dream about what my life would have looked like if I never gave up my scholarship to return home.
I dream about what life will look like after graduation.
I dream about my future, my family, my children, my husband and my forever career.
I dream about what life will look like on the race and where it will lead me after.
I dream about future vacations.
I dream about places I want to travel to.
I dream about summer, christmas and spring breaks.
I dream about all of these things and so much more. There is nothing wrong with dreaming and thinking about your future or your past, but what I have realized is that dreaming has caused me to check out of the present and escape reality. I can’t help but try and escape the stress of trying to meet the qualifications to graduate in December, or stressing over how little money I have. My dreams are usually so much better then reality and sometimes they are what get me through the hard days.
Four years ago, I committed to one year of being a student athlete. This was then supposed to turn into four years, I was supposed to continue playing the sport I love while getting an education. Three years ago, I declined the signing of my second year and decided to return home and continue my schooling where I grew up. This may be my biggest regret and so many times I dream about what my life would have looked like, I would have graduated last year and most likely be pursuing grad school. I have to remember that if I would have stayed in the South I wouldn’t have been able to experience so many of the adventures I have been on in the past three years. There was a reason I decided to drop the scholarship and return home, it was all part of my journey.
I find myself dreaming about my future endeavours and my past mistakes and what my life could have been, or what it is going to look like. I don’t see myself always being present and enjoying what I have now. I see it all around me, and we are asked from a young age what are hopes are for the future, but the real question should be, what are you going to do today that will have an impact on either yourself or someone in your life. All too often we are caught in a day dream, and thinking about the future when we aren’t even guaranteed tomorrow.
I come from a generation of connectivity, we always want to know what is going on around us even if we aren’t there physically.
We need to remember that we do need to have a dream and a hope for the future, but the things and activities we are spending our time on today is all part of that journey. They are all events bringing you closer to the place God wants you to be, even if you think it was a mistake. Everything we have done in our life has brought us to where we are now, whether you are happy about where you are at now, or still working towards something, just remember that all those things you are dreaming of may come true, but that we must stay present and intact with where we are at this exact moment in time, because this life isn’t guarenteed a tomorrow. We must tell the people around us how we feel and be intent in our actions.
In seven months I will be leaving on a trip of a lifetime. I can’t help but dream about my launch day and who my teammates will be. I do know that sometime during those 11 months, I will start dreaming of home, and working showers, where wifi is always working. I will have to remember to be present there and give everyone the time they deserve, but for now I have to remember to stay in the moment and enjoy where I am at. Every decision I have made and every dream I have dreamt has led me to where I am today and I am happy with that. I am blessed to have the family and friends that support my decision, and these people deserve my full attention, just like the people on the race will, so as I strive to accomplish my dreams, I have to remember that the decisions I make today are the ones that are going to take me so many steps closer to my dreams.
This life is a journey and I am slowly learning to enjoy the ride. While dreaming is sometimes so much better then reality, where I am at in life is a result of decisions made by myself, but were all part of God’s greater plan and I am sure I am where he wants me to be.
Keep dreaming and enjoying this amazing life!
Quinn
