Every weekday I start my day as a mom. I get my oldest daughter on the bus to 2nd grade at Highland School in Westfield, MA and take the younger daughter to her preschool at the YMCA in Westfield, MA. We walk up the stairs and look at the artwork the teachers have tacked up for display.
The other day I stopped to look at one particular piece and it stayed with me the rest of the day. The theme of the art was “When I Grow Up” and each child had drawn an illustration of what they wanted to be. Some were traditional: a teacher, a policeman, a hairdresser, but this one picture stood out to me:
When I grow up I want to be: A Ballerina Doctor.
My first reaction was a giggle and I thought, how cute. But after reflection I started to think, well why the heck not? See, when we are four we think we can be anything…DO anything and we are RIGHT. Somewhere along the way we learn fear and allow that fear to alter dreams into something safe. We stop pressing ourselves because people may scoff or say that what we want is impossible. Tradition steps in and we take our allotted roles.
I decided after admiring this young lady’s bold dreams that I was a convert to her way of thinking. I too, want to be a Ballerina Doctor (rhetorically speaking) and am making a concerted effort to find my four year old bravery.
I am taking chances, boldened by a four year old’s wisdom. Risks don’t seem so frightening anymore, they are new challenges, exciting and fun. Limits are gone and in their place are steps to take one at a time to reach my dreams. My goals haven’t changed, but my road to reach them is a totally new route with fun stops along the way.
So, I decided I would hang my proclamation up on my virtual stairwell so that everyone can see what my dreams are, too.
When I grow up I want to be: The real estate agent people in Westfield, MA think of when they need help. I want to be known as a problem solver and a caregiver. I want all of Western Massachusetts to understand my drive to help people when they need to or want to buy or sell real estate.
This little girl will never know the gift she bestowed upon me, but I hope she never loses sight of her ability to pick the dream that fits her best and work each day to reach it.
I share this with you so that you might tap into your four year old self and remind you to dream big and be brave…life is supposed to be fun!
Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at Park Square Realty
413-575-3611
