I got the chance to do things that I dreamed of when I was a

In the words of R. L. Stine, a teller of tales whose stories shaped the imaginations of millions, we hear both gratitude and wonder: “I got the chance to do things that I dreamed of when I was a kid: I got to travel around the world; I had my own ‘Goosebumps’ attraction at Disney World; I’ve been on TV and had three TV series.” Though spoken plainly, these words carry the weight of a great truth—that dreams, when nurtured and pursued with discipline, can ripen into realities that exceed even the wildest visions of youth.

To speak of dreams as a kid is to speak of the fire that burns within the innocent, before the world tells them what is “practical” or “impossible.” In childhood, the soul is unshackled by doubt, and dares to imagine without fear. Stine’s confession reminds us that the truest measure of a life is not in possessions, but in whether those early dreams are remembered and, when possible, fulfilled. For the heart that honors its childhood visions walks in harmony with its truest self.

The chance to travel around the world is not only a reward of success but also a fulfillment of the wanderer’s instinct. To see distant lands, to meet foreign peoples, to walk through cultures different from one’s own—this is a dream many hold as children when they first see maps and globes. Stine’s journey reflects a truth echoed in history: that those who create, who give something to the world, are often granted the privilege of seeing more of it. In this, he stands alongside great storytellers like Jules Verne and Mark Twain, whose words carried them to faraway shores, both literally and in the imaginations of their readers.

The Goosebumps attraction at Disney World symbolizes something even greater—the ability of a dream to take flesh in the world beyond the page. What began as stories told to children became rides, shows, and living experiences that could be touched and seen. This echoes the way Homer’s epics were once sung by bards, and later carved into marble reliefs and painted on vases. When a story transcends its form to become part of culture itself, it ceases to belong only to the author and becomes part of the shared treasury of humankind.

Stine also speaks of being on TV and creating three series. This is more than a personal accomplishment—it is proof that storytelling is a bridge between mediums. The dream of a child who once perhaps sat before a glowing screen became the reality of the adult who would one day appear upon it. History reminds us of a similar journey in the life of Walt Disney himself, who once sketched a mouse on paper and lived to see it become a kingdom of imagination visited by millions. Such stories reveal that the road from dream to fulfillment, though difficult, is possible for those who persevere.

What shines most in Stine’s reflection is not pride but gratitude. He does not speak of entitlement, as if these things were owed to him, but of chance and blessing, as though he himself is still amazed that his childhood dreams took shape in such wondrous ways. Gratitude is the crown of success, for without it, even the greatest accomplishments become hollow. The ancients taught that fortune smiles only for a time, but the grateful heart finds joy in every gift it receives.

The lesson is clear: do not abandon the dreams of your youth. Guard them, nurture them, and let them guide your path, for they are the compass of your true self. Work tirelessly, yes, but never forget the vision that set your heart ablaze when you were a child. And when success comes, meet it not with arrogance, but with gratitude, remembering that every dream realized is also a gift.

So I say to you: listen to the voice of the child within you. Let it whisper of journeys, of creations, of wonders you once imagined. Then walk the path with discipline and courage until those whispers become reality. For as R. L. Stine has shown, the world itself can be shaped by those who remain faithful to the dreams of their youth—dreams that, when fulfilled, bless not only the dreamer but all who share in the stories they bring to life.