Written by Anhayla Stanley

I’ve had goals since I was a young girl. At five years old, I already had my goals written down — My main goal was to be a singer and a teacher. It’s always been a part of me to envision about the future, however, many obstacles have been presented as a barrier. 

I was in a terrible car accident at 11 years old that changed my life completely. I broke my leg, fractured my hip and injured my back. I had to learn how to walk again and regain my mobility. The car accident changed me in many ways. My confidence was no longer the same, I had new scars from the corrective surgeries. My body looked completely different and I had to process this new version of myself.  None of this I could have predicted, but in the end I survived something that could have ended my life.

I held tight to my dream of being a singer…after all, I still had my voice. Fast forward to now..I realize that I actualized my dreams from childhood. It may not have looked the way I expected it to…but it happened. I became a professional singer. My songs have played across the world and I sang at some beautiful places. I became a teacher too…not the traditional one I thought of as a child, but instead a teacher of self-love and acceptance.  

I had to take a pause…and appreciate where I am right now. There is so much to be grateful for and I don't want to miss any of it.  

If you take a moment and appreciate where you are right now….you will see that some of your prayers have been answered too. It’s ok to dream big but don't dream so big that you can’t see what God has blessed you with already.

God has blessed you with SO much. You’ve won many victories and you need to celebrate them no matter how small they may seem.

Great things take time. Give your goals space to breathe — don't let them detract from the life you are living today.