A life worth living

W02 Blog Post: Creating a Life of Meaning

This week’s lesson really made me reflect on what it means to dream and to live a life of meaning. After watching Randy Pausch’s “Last Lecture,” I was deeply inspired by how he approached life—with joy, determination, and purpose, even in the face of terminal illness. I think one of the biggest reasons Randy was able to achieve so many of his childhood dreams is because he never stopped believing they were possible. He combined passion with hard work, kept a sense of playfulness, and sought out opportunities with persistence and optimism. Even when he hit barriers, he saw them not as signs to quit, but as ways to prove how badly he wanted something.

I absolutely believe dreaming is important. Dreams give our lives direction. They help us imagine a future that motivates our actions today. Without dreams, we can easily fall into just going through the motions instead of striving toward something meaningful. Dreams push us to grow and to become the best versions of ourselves.

One of my childhood dreams was to one day own a business with my family. I always imagined working side-by-side with people I love, building something meaningful that we could pass on to the next generation. I still believe this dream is possible, and I’m actively working toward it. My husband has a talent for construction, and I’ve developed a passion for real estate and business. Together, we hope to start a company where he builds homes and I sell them. I know it will take effort, patience, and continued learning, but it feels deeply aligned with who we are and what we want our life to look like.

This week, we also began working on our Stars and Steppingstones assignment, which helped me map out the steps I need to take to reach that dream. My top goal right now is to finish my bachelor’s degree in Applied Business Management. That degree is a big part of my foundation. I also enjoyed making my 50-item bucket list—it reminded me that while career goals are important, life should also be full of experiences that bring joy, growth, and connection.

Overall, this week reminded me that building a life of meaning takes intention and hope—but it also takes action. I’m excited for the journey ahead and thankful for the tools this course is giving me to shape a life I truly care about.