My Dreams and Aspirations

Growing up, my mother always told me, "If you're going to dream, dream big." You see, my mother grew up in poverty and was not able to fulfill her dreams until the age of 40. She wanted more for me, so she and my father worked hard so that I might have opportunities they did not. Last week, as I was cleaning my room, I discovered the original tattered note she had tucked into my lunchbox. Her perfect handwriting declared those very words that I carry with me. I often come back to her words and ask myself, "Am I dreaming big?"
I believe that obtaining my M.A. in Communication is part of learning to dream big. Growing up on a small hog farm on the outskirts of town, I never dreamed I could or would end up getting my Masters. Sometimes I still pinch myself, and think "Really?". I love learning and I understand the importance of furthering my education; thus, being in this degree program is a declaration of sorts. I am declaring that I am capable, hard working, and I am willing to go the distance in order to be successful. Don't we all crave success?
Five years from now, I see myself in a variety of places. We all know life is unpredictable, but I still plan because not having a plan is like going on a road trip with no map. I am simply not that spontaneous. I plan to be working in the communication/public relations field. I would also like to be teaching at the collegiate level. I am currently a Teaching Assistant; thus, I will have two years of teaching public speaking under my belt at that point. I would love to teach at College of the Ozarks, which is where I completed my undergraduate studies. I also would like to have started a family in five years. I think of my mother's words, and my mind wanders. I would love to live in Washington D.C. for a couple years and work for the Republican party. I would also enjoy living in Colorado and working for Focus on the Family.
It's obvious there are many things I would like to do. Isn't that the beauty of dreaming though? I am thankful for my mother's words, because now I can see that I am learning to dream big.