The Dream Adjacent

I sit here writing this blog in the twilight glow of my commencement ceremony. For those who may or may not know I am a nurse by trade. I recently continued my education in the fall of December 2023 and recently decided to walk the stage of my newfound alma mater. It was a hasty decision and I hadn’t thought of participating in the commencement ceremony. However, at the insistence of my family member, I was encouraged to participate and I don’t regret it. Funnily enough, the ceremony’s keynote speaker was none other than Steve from the famous children’s show Blue’s Clues. Yes, that Steve. Though a bit more seasoned than I remember him growing up as a youth, it was still Steve with all his flair. He left us with powerful words. In his speech, he told us not only to pursue our dreams but also to consider the dreams adjacent. All the wonder opportunities that exist alongside our dreams can lead us to places we’d never dreamt of. His words resonated with me, as I sat in the first row, taking on the ceremony. Another commencement speaker, the chosen of the class, was a young Brooklyn-born man who’d spent the majority of his youth in Lagos, Nigeria. He returned to the United States in highschool, pursuing his education - managing to do so in the face of terrible loss. In the wake of his mother’s passing, he encouraged us all to consider the weight of those around us, as we are too shaped and molded by them. I thought about my mother and husband in the crowd.

So, remember the dream adjacent. Remember all those who matter to you. They’re rooting for you.

Congratulations class of 2023/2024. We did it. 🎓

Sincerely,

TheWomynWhoWrites