Me, Grandmother & My Dream

Your future is not written by the events of your past. The opportunity to succeed is a choice. It is never too late to follow your dreams. My deeply embedded faith in God gave me the fortitude to overcome, what some might view as insurmountable obstacles.

Three keys contributed to my success:

• Proper planning
• Positive social network and support system
• Attitude of excellence

My husband and I married young – while I was still in high school. We started a family right away. I completed high school while raising our young son. No one was more proud of me than my grandmother, who called to tell me how excited she was that I finished high school. She knew the importance of education; in fact, she even offered to pay my college tuition. Though I was grateful, I decided to postpone college so that I could raise my children. Shortly thereafter, my grandmother passed away. I was heartbroken, but she left me with her love and the confidence that even as a young woman with a growing family; I could still accomplish anything!

Well … that “someday” came in February of 2007. My husband and I enrolled at Olivet Nazarene University. We graduated with our Associate Degrees in 2009. In my heart, I could hear the voice of my grandmother telling me how proud she was, just as she did when I graduated from high school.

My husband and I were galvanized by the accomplishment. We decided to capitalize on our momentum and enrolled in the Bachelors of Business Administration program (BBA). When I looked in the mirror, I saw the woman my grandmother knew this young wife and mother could be.

The journey was not without its sacrifices.

It was difficult at first to get into a routine. Long days sometimes kept me away from my family. I had to choose homework over family activities. We took our laptops on vacations, completed homework during family events, and submitted many assignments in the late night hours. Our lives sometimes felt like a rollercoaster. One year during our journey our home was damaged in a storm, collapsing our kitchen ceiling. We were forced to start a major remodeling project, we had no stove or kitchen sink for months. We cooked on the grill, the camping stove, even our smoker … yet we persevered.

John and I were uniquely challenged as two adults in the same household, working and going to school full time. The intensity and stress often felt unbearable. To be honest, there were moments we asked ourselves, “Is this really worth it”?

The journey was difficult however; the rewards were worth the trials. Below are three vital tips from our journey we think can help you on yours:

• Proper Planning

If success is important to you as an individual, you must remain focused and never underestimate the importance of proper planning. Time management can be difficult, but it is essential. Avoid poor performance by setting priorities and boundaries, and understand that it is okay to say “no”.

• Develop a positive social network and support system

Surround yourself with positive individuals, who can hold you accountable, cheer you on and pull you back when you have gone off track. If your environment is negative, the results are going to be harder to attain. Everything we do in life is relational. Building relationships with others is critical to your success. Encourage others, listen, spend time together, and offer feedback, kindness, and love.

• Attitude of excellence

Presentation is a key factor to success, whether it is how you present yourself, your Power Point presentations, or your papers. You are representing you. Words are everything; choose them wisely and know your audience! Be the best you can be and show the world you have what it takes.

I am happy to announce, this past May my husband and I graduated with our Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) degrees from Olivet Nazarene University!

We utilize our degrees to help others, set examples of what good leadership should exemplify, and to be positive role models for our children.

The experience can be wonderful if you develop the right mindset and follow these simple tips. The journey has not been easy, but it has definitely been worth it. Your future is not written by the events of your past. The opportunity to succeed is a choice. It is never too late to follow your dreams.

I encourage you to start following your dreams today! My dream, years ago, was to honor my grandmother by continuing my education. What are yours?

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Ms. Karen Wright, recent graduate with her Master of Organizational Leadership. Karen’s journey required her to climb mountains, which she did with such grace and pose, she made it look like she was skipping though a field of daisies.

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