12:36 PM

In July of 2005 my mom gave me a motivational card, about the size of a playing card, titled “Don’t Let Anything Keep You from Your Dreams.” On it is a quotation from a woman named Shannon M. Lester. I don’t know who Shannon is and a Google and Amazon search haven’t really helped. She seems to be quoted on dreams a lot.

I don’t really know why certain things hit us at certain times, but ever since my mom gave me the card, it’s sat in the front console of my car, just under the CD player. It’s become a staple, not necessarily in reading it, but knowing it is there. It had been many months since I took it out and read it, but today on the way to get my oil changed, it jumped out at me. Doing my best to avoid running a red light or rear ending someone, I read it. It did what it was supposed to do. It gave me motivation. Then I put it in my pocket to share with the readers of this journal.

Don’t Let Anything Keep You from Your Dreams

“Catch the star that holds your destiny –

the one that forever twinkles in your heart

Always believe that your ultimate goal

is attainable as long as you

commit yourself to it

The greatest gifts in life are not purchased

but acquired through hard work

and determination

You are capable of making

your brightest dreams come true

Give your hopes everything you’ve got

and you will catch the star

that holds your destiny”