'What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Is something every child hears growing up. Most kids have a ready answer. There are the little ones who have a different answer every time and the ones who have the same answer. In my opinion, all kids are the dreamers. The people that want to do. The action makers. Kids want to save the world and do all the things; the sky is the limit. I ask this question, though, what happens to those dreams as everyone grows older? Why is there a struggle for young adults to chase their dreams?

Society today crushes dreams. The school systems squander any hopes for a risky dream. We are taught to play it safe, to make a decision that will not hurt anyone, to do what makes the most money. Parents encourage us to play it safe, have starter jobs, have company loyalty, stick with it and maybe it will grow to be a passion. Is this because they want their children to fly from the nest? Not make the mistakes they made? All valid thoughts, but what if passion and profession should be the same? All of these thoughts and questions crush dreams as soon as school starts and as soon as society begins to have an effect on the small, very influential, brains of children. Soon the sky is too far to reach, people don’t need saving and somebody else will be the hero.

I say "False" to society. Chasing dreams leads to happiness. In the long run, doesn’t it make more sense to have a fulfilling and happy life rather than making mass amounts of money and feeling empty inside? I pose the statement that dreams should never die. Even the random little dreams that were never spoken out loud. Those dreams to work with dolphins, to be on the turtle patrol, to save the ocean and help improve the standard of life of less fortunate individuals. Embrace the dreams and chase them. Jump up to the sky and rein it in. Become the hero that people need, even if it is just being someone that is reliable at work or finding the little things that make someone’s day and doing that. Not to mention that absolutely everyone needs saving in one form or another. Brush off the stereotypes and theories, chase adventure and pursue the childhood dreams.

I once heard the saying that resounded with my soul, ‘do something that would make the younger version of you proud.' So I challenge you, my friends, be the hero you needed as a child, be the person that you thought was absolutely amazing. Dreams do not have to die with age. In fact, most elderly people are thankful they took the risk and did something outrageous or are happy they adventured for the stories they have to tell. Dreams should grow stronger and more realistic with age. Besides, everyone wants to have stories to tell about how they were the one who chased their dream and caught it.

Dream. Act. Do.