To The Girl With Big Dreams,

When you're growing up you're told to dream big, reach for the stars, and you can be whatever you want to be. More than likely you have big dreams for yourself: being a doctor, a teacher, an attorney, the list can go on forever. Sometimes society steps in and tells you that your dreams are too big. You wonder how a dream can be too big? The thought and possible action may even come to give up on that dream. You should never give up on your dreams.

At some point in your life, someone has looked at you and said your dreams (or aspirations) are not possible for you because you are a girl. Don't ever listen to them. First, no one but you knows what you are capable of doing. No one knows the drive you may have for chasing after a goal of yours. Find ways to prove that person wrong. Just because you are a girl doesn't mean you're incapable of having big dreams.

If you're lucky you will find someone to share your big dream with and they will back you 110%. They could be a life long friend, a parent, a mentor, a significant other, but no matter the case they believe in you. They believe that you can not only make your dream come true but that you will be successful doing it. They will encourage you to chase these dreams, to take the steps needed to fulfill them. Most importantly they will be happy for you when you achieve this dream. They will be in your corner literally cheering you on. It may be with an inspirational text before a big test, that's what my best friend did before my LSAT exam this past summer, or it could be making sure you are smiling and not stressed. This 'someone' or maybe multiple someones will be ecstatic when you become closer to achieving your dream. That's the kind of positivity you need in your life.

Once you are sure that this is the path you want to set out on, don't look back. Don't doubt yourself. And most importantly don't give up. Even though you have an amazing support system behind you, they can't take the steps for you to achieve these dreams you have. You're the one who has to take action and make a path for yourself. It may not always be easy, and it may not always be fun. But if this is something that you are truly passionate about then you should definitely be ready to put in the work. You need to realize that you need to motivate yourself also. You have chosen this path to go down and it is up to you to make it happen.

For a lot of people, these dreams and goals are not short term ones. Be ready to settle in for the long haul. You may be looking at a lot of school time to help achieve your dream. This can be long term for you, you will get your Bachelor's degree, then you may move onto a specialty. You could move on to law school, medical school, a masters program and then even a doctorate. Be ready for reading and studying, it may seem annoying at that moment, but in the long haul, it is going to help you achieve your dream. You're going to be putting in a lot of work to make your dreams come true, but it will be so worth it.

Don't let people bring you down. You will face all kinds of adversity while achieving these big dreams for yourself. Some people may look at you and say you're crazy for wanting to do this, but they don't know you. They don't know what you are capable of doing and how long you have wanted this. Keep your head up and know that you can do whatever you set your mind too. This will just be a bump in the road for you, so let it roll off you. There are so many reasons why someone may want to bring your hopes down on achieving your dream. They could be jealous of your willpower to move on, could be that they wish they had the confidence you do. Keep moving forward and never look back.

Finally, when you achieve your dream find something else to dream about. Just because you have grown up and are no longer a girl, but now a woman, you can still have dreams. If you have kids, boys or girls, they will look to you and base their aspirations off your willpower to keep making your dreams come true. Encourage not only your own kids or nieces and nephews to have big dreams, but other people around you. Be a role model and show everyone that you made that dream you had when you were five years old come true.

I know for me personally, I'm still working on my dream. I have one full year left with my undergraduate and about to move on to applying to law schools. I can't wait to look at my future little girl (or boy) and tell them how I achieved my dream. To tell them that dreaming big is one of the best things that can ever happen to them. It will give them something to work for. Dreaming big has shaped my personality and helped form me into the person I am today. If I hadn't been told to dream big and find something that I love, I wouldn't be the person I am today.

Keep on dreaming,

Someone Who Is Still Dreaming Big