Big Dreams… by JoAnn

“If you’re gonna dream, dream big!” That’s the quote I read from a wise man somewhere along the way. But does every dream have to be big? What about small dreams? I think they are important as well. Not all of us are wired to the giant leap. We need to take baby steps until we are comfortable with major ones. Does that make us a failure? Absolutely not.

Aesop’s fable of The Tortoise and the Hare has always been a favorite of mine. The Tortoise won the race by going slow and steady. The Hare, though must speedier, made one mistake along his way. I have always been more of the Tortoise than the Hare in life. I like taking small steps and in my own time. I have been this way my entire life. Maybe I was just born that way, or perhaps I never learned how to do things differently. Or maybe, I never had the desire to change. If it doesn’t seem broke, why fix it? I don’t think everyone in my life has always thought I was correct in being the Tortoise. I believe many from my past would have preferred I hurry up at certain times. I know my grown children all think I am too slow now as I’ve aged. I seem to get in their way as they race through their lives. All three are living life as Hares. I think they got that from their Dad. Lol

I believe you are never too old to dream, whether big or small. It’s a positive way of thinking. And without hope, what do we have? The Holy Bible tells us in Jeremiah 29:ll; “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I continue to remind myself of that scripture each year that I age. It’s easy to feel like you’ve done everything you were meant to do in life. Now it’s time to retire from life. Just sit back and watch the world go by. But that would be going against what the scripture says. We are to have hope and a future.

So do I dare to continue having dreams? You betcha! For without them, I would have no hope or future to look forward to. Even us tortoises need to keep on moving. Slow and steady is even more critical now. I may be unable to keep up with my Hares, but this old Tortoise will eventually win her race. I hope I see you at the finish line.