by Ayannah Garcia
There are no limits to what we can do in our dreams.
“And in this moment, I swear, we are infinite.”
–Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Have you ever wished for more than what you have? If you said it out loud, would people think you might be selfish? Or ungrateful for the life you do have? Would they criticize you and tell you to think more realistically instead of wondering about a dream that will probably not come true? In my opinion, realistic thinking will limit your view on life and how much you can truly accomplish. Life is short, but dreams are infinite.
Looking out the window at the rolling hills on the farms of Peoria I often think about my dreams. What do I want? To be free, able to leave and drive where I want, when I want. It seems close, but also far away. I want the feeling of being infinite, and I want it to last… well, infinitely.
When I’m feeling infinite, I also feel free. It’s riding in the car with the windows down, cold air on my face, hair blowing in the wind—blasting music and nothing but road and grass as far as I can see. That is my infinite, my freedom. The place I go to when I am sad, angry, stressed, or any of the above. But I only picture it since I can’t be present in it… yet.
“Yet.” Such a funny word that has so many meanings. “He is not dead… yet.” “I am not able to go to college… yet.” The word “yet” simply means there is a possibility something could happen. And that possibility is why I dream, because it is everything I look forward to.
When I am able to go to college, drive and just be free, I will do anything to my heart’s infinite content. I can finally go wherever I want, whenever I want, when my very busy schedule allows of course. Wanting more in life is exactly that. So many possibilities in such a short time… could I accomplish them all?
I think I can. And it is not just believing in myself. It’s motivation, getting up, putting in the time and work, practicing, mindset, and much more. If everyone could just believe and everything would magically go their way, life would be drastically different. My life would be different. But I live in this thing called reality and the feeling of being infinite only lasts in my imagination. And only lasts for five seconds during car rides. So far. Or maybe I should say, “The place where my infinite ‘lives’ does not exist… yet.” My precious dreams of freedom, hair blowing in the wind, infinite roads, and grass fields are sacred. I just have to hold on to those moments of pure joy a little longer, because my life has only reached the start. It has not begun… yet. An infinite world awaits.
About Ayannah Garcia
Ayannah Garcia is a freshman attending Richwoods High School, where she takes part in the Pre-IB program, the Royalettes dance team, and the drama club. Outside of school, she loves to dance, read, journal, travel with family, and play with her dog. In addition to these activities, she is currently a member of the Finale Group of the Greater Peoria Illinois Chapter of Jack and Jill, an organization for young African American individuals who want to serve the community, and a member of her church’s youth group.
About Sophie Liu
Sophie Liu is a senior at Dunlap High School who has won numerous art prizes such as the Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Key Award and several honorable mentions. As someone who also values academics, business, and volunteering, she has participated in and led many activities in her community. Her volunteering contribution has awarded her the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award. She is one of the club leaders of her school’s Interact Volunteering Club. During her summers, Liu has participated in several business camps such as Kelley Business’s Young Women’s Institute, where she has gained knowledge and experience in her passion. She also runs her own online art business where she creates commissioned art pieces and gains firsthand business experience. Liu plans to continue her love of business, volunteering, and art in college, where she will major in either Marketing or Business Analytics and minor in art.