– quote from Eleanor Roosevelt
Once…...
In a pub in Dublin, a man unexpectedy meets a girl who changes his fate. With her positivity, love of music, and optimism, he finds the strength and courage to reach for his once seemingly unattainable dreams; and she helps him make it a reality. We never really know what is coming right around the next corner, do we?
If you ever get the chance to see the musical “Once,” do it. You won’t regret it; I promise. My brother, my mom, and I went to see it on Sunday at the Palace Theater, and it was amazing. I went into it not knowing what to expect at all and was in awe. It wasn’t just the Irish music, or the fact that it takes place in Dublin, (even though my roots and heart tie straight to it), it was about the story itself and the message that all of us can connect with. It’s about the power of going for your dreams, no matter how scary, and the importance of surrounding yourself with positive people who support, motivate, and pull you up when your dream seems too far out of reach. People come into our lives for a reason. Surround yourself with people that lift you up, believe in your and your dreams, and encourage you on days you feel like quitting. 
I’ve heard so many stories about people who, at the end of their lives, talk about things they wished they had done. Many times, it’s about not fulfilling dreams. My Dad had so many dreams. When he got sick, he talked about all of the things he had planned on doing and how awful it felt to have them torn out of his hands. He wasn’t given a choice about his goals and aspirations. It was not meant to be in this life. Right now, we do have a choice. Sometimes you get one chance, one chance to go for your dream. We all dream, but it takes resilience, strength, and courage to make that dream a reality. Don’t sell yourself short, ever. A dream doesn’t have to be big. Maybe it’s asking for that promotion, learning how to play piano, or telling another person you love them. What you want in life can only be attained by one person: you. So if there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, do it. If there’s something you want to tell someone, say it. If there’s a place you’ve always wanted to see, go. Don’t let dreams be just that, dreams. Make them come true.
