We used to dream big.

We were going to climb the highest mountain, sail the deepest sea, whatever it was, we were going to make a real difference in this world despite the risks. Then we got older, and this world told us why we couldn’t have our dreams, they didn’t belong in this world. So after a while, many of us stopped dreaming.

In this context, it’s humbling to reflect on the conversations I now have with my kids about their big dreams. I tend to point out the negative dangers of those dreams, the costs and risks involved. They smile back and simply point out the positive benefits.

I hope they don’t lose their positive perspective as they grow old in this world.

I like the story of 88-year-old Ursula Shepherd from Devon, England. It’s a story of holding onto a dream to learn which I’d like to share with you.

Even a year ago, Ursula couldn’t read, and what inspires me most about Ursula is that she didn’t let this world rob her of her dream, a dream to be able to read to a class of children.

You see, Ursula had a number of learning difficulties which weren’t recognised in the 1930s, so she didn’t have the opportunity that many of us have had to a proper education.

“I would sit with a girl and she was reading but I couldn’t read, so when she turned the pages I turned my page over because I didn’t understand.” Says Ursula. “I felt sad because I always wanted to read, you see, and they just put me in the corner. I felt like I missed out.” 

Through her life, she has had to rely on others to read for her. But even at this stage of her life, she has had the courage, and perseverance to take the first step to fulfilling her dream to learn to read.

She learned as all of us have to, one letter at a time, and now at 88, Ursula has fulfilled her dream and has read to class of children.

So what about our dreams?

They may have been muted, for whatever reason, but we all still have them.

Well, Ursula shows us it doesn’t matter how old we are, if we simply focus on starting small ‘one letter at a time‘ and ignore the world’s opinion, we too will get there…

Oh, and I have to tell you this. Learning to read has inspired Ursula to try other new things too. Last year she went on an aeroplane for the first time and now she wants to skydive when she’s 90!

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