“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
~Eleanor Roosevelt
As we begin the graduation season, I am reflecting on what these young graduates will encounter as they enter the world. The path that is in front of them is full of choices that will lead to different roads. Each road is unique but choose carefully. These roads will define your future. Keep those dreams alive that are in your mind and remember that there is beauty in those dreams. You can accomplish so many things in this life but remember, not all heroes are famous. Each one of you has a gift and it is up to you whether you choose to embrace that gift and share it with the world. Just as Liz, the young woman living with epilepsy that is featured in our photos, has done. I had the honor of meeting Liz 2 1/2 years ago. I have watched her grow and succeed. Liz has not allowed epilepsy to stop or control her life. I am so proud of her and can’t wait to see all the AMAZING things that she will do in the future!
Charlie Rose just told the 2016 graduating class at the University of the South to “Be crazy, be humble, dream big. Make your story a great story. Make all of us proud of what you can be, what you have been and what you will do.” This is such a great reminder as we are sending young students into the world to pursue their dreams. Everyone has a story and this is the time for you to hold onto your story and begin to share it with the world. Remember to live without being afraid. Every person needs to pursue the dream and gift that was given to you! Don’t let DOUBT steal your dream. I remember that moment when I realized that I would start a nonprofit for women and girls diagnosed with epilepsy. I thought to myself, “How can I do this? How will this come together? Who will join with me?” We started the My Epilepsy Story with personal stories….. We started with a dream……. We started by navigating down a path that hadn’t been traveled before…. And here we are!
As our family prepares to head to the beach this Friday for a long family vacation, we will soak up every moment with our young children because we fully realize how quickly time passes. Oh how soon we will be sitting at their graduations from high school and then college. We will relish in the beauty of family and peace. We will hold tight to our three little ones… I look forward to seeing all that you accomplish in the years ahead of you. I look forward to the next year, 6 years, 16 years and beyond as you continue to share your stories with us. We will focus on what is ahead and I will think of this quote by Robert Penn Warren, “Tell me a story. In this century, and moment, tell me a story. Make it a story of great distances, and starlight. The name of the story will be time, but you must not speak its name. Tell me a story of deep delight.”
