I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to speak at both Cowles and Findley Elementary. I have never met a child who doesn't have a dream. And even as I am leaving schools I always have students come up to me and confess their dreams. It's like offering their dreams to me makes them that much more believable in the student's eyes.

Both Amy Moore, principal of Cowles, and Miss Brass, principal of Findley, have a better understanding of my Every Child Dreams of Greatness mission. And while I am fortunate to be offered children's dreams I have never sugar-coated or shied away from the reality of what it will take to live out a dream. I let children know that dreams happen only 1) If they believe in a dream, 2) Commit to a dream, 3) Put the time and effort in to such a dream and to be ready when the opportunity presents itself.

I give my father credit for his championing me on the hardships I'd have to endure in pursuing my dream. This is why children's books shouldn't dummy down to children - like fairies and mystical creatures will come to a child's aid just in the nick of time during life's hardships. Why? Give children hope but also let them know the truth about dreams so they can face their fears and doubts early in life - so that way they have the courage and conviction and know they have to take ownership of the dream.

My father said, "Chance is sometimes all we're given in life."

We shouldn't discourage children when it comes to dreams, but we should teach children the dream is hard fought and requires sacrifice and years of commitment.