This post was inspired by Aidan Donnelley Rowley’s post on Ivy League Insecurities. Aidan’s post was inspired by this post on Motherese.
November 2006 — November 2011 — November 2016
Five years ago, I was a senior in college. I was fiercely determined to structure my life so that I could create the greatest amount of change possible. I held onto the pain of others and wanted to heal all wounds I came across. I had only the best intentions and truly thought I could do anything if I worked hard enough. My husband and I were in college together and had been dating for four years. I was incredibly happy and excited to begin the next chapter in my life—publishing my book and attending graduate school.
November 2006 — November 2011 — November 2016
Today, I am a wife—blissfully married for just over one year. I have graduated from Duke and just received my master’s degree from Harvard. My book, Perseverance, was released in hard copy and soft copy—and I even got to appear on the Today show during my publicity tour. I’ve achieved a lot over the past five years, but have learned the hard way that dreams do fail. For a dreamer like me, this lesson has been devastatingly difficult to grasp. Yet, I’ve learned that the most important dreams and successes are those that aren’t written in a formal bio. As a person, intrinsically, I have become incredibly resilient and stronger than I ever believed possible. And it took far more work to become this person than any degree or publication ever required. Today, I am wiser and more cautious. But, I’m still the same dreamer with very big plans and goals. Just like five years ago, I am excited to begin the next chapter in my life—a chapter that I have not prewritten.
November 2006 — November 2011 — November 2016
In five years, I hope to be starting a family and moving into a grown up home! I hope to have my PhD in clinical psychology—starting to create my professional identity within the field. I hope to be dreaming big and creating inspiring change… and to be excited about the next five years of my life!
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I’m going to end this post with a message Aidan copied from Kristen.
Instead of leaving a comment on today’s post, please take a moment and visit Big Little Wolf to learn about the important work she is doing to help raise money for a life-saving kidney transplant for Ashley Quiñones, aka the Kidney Cutie, aka the sister of Kelly Miller of The Miller Mix.
Is there anything you can do to help Ashley dream of a Five Year Plan of her own?
image: found via le love image
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Carolyn,
This is great! You have so much to be proud of, and I admire your story and courage!
Your words mean so much. Thank you, Donna.
What you have accomplished is exceptional and admirable to all. This is just the beginning to all you will accomplish.
Thank you so much, Julie :)!
Thank you so much for continuing this series of reflections, Carolyn – and in such an eloquent way. I especially appreciate what you have to say here about resilience. It’s a skill that I am still working to develop as well.
Thank you so much for adding your voice to the chorus, Carolyn. As for dreaming – I’m a firm believer. Sometimes pursuing one dream takes us on another journey altogether – and those can sometimes be the very best.
Hi Carolyn,
A pingback from your post just arrived at my site… a full year later. So why not extend another thank you to all those who participated in writing their Five Year Plans, the many others who donated toward Ashley’s transplant, and – if you happened to follow back in mid February of this year – Ashley did receive her transplant at that time, and both she and her donor are doing well.
We truly can make a difference. So many people – her family, her community, her legal team, strangers from everywhere – gave, supported, and believed.