This is my dream. I've been doing this since I was a kid, and

Hear the words of Lacey Chabert, spoken with the humility of one who has pursued her calling since youth: “This is my dream. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, and I’ve been blessed to work and be a working actor, and there’s not a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for that, but my priorities have definitely shifted.” Though uttered in our present age, these words shine with timeless wisdom, for they carry within them the rhythm of a life’s journey—dreams, blessings, gratitude, and the shifting sands of priorities.

The first truth she reveals is the power of a dream carried from childhood. To dream is to plant a seed in the soil of the heart, and to tend that seed through the years is no small feat. Many abandon their dreams as they grow older, burdened by doubt or distracted by life’s demands. But she declares that her dream has been steadfast since she was a child, a flame never extinguished. In this we see the noble endurance of one who refused to forsake the inner voice that whispered destiny.

The second jewel in her words is the acknowledgment of being blessed. She does not speak of success as though it were hers alone to claim, but as a gift, a grace bestowed upon her. To work, to create, to live by one’s craft—this is no entitlement but a blessing. And she, with humility, bows before that truth. For the wise know that opportunity itself is fortune, and that work aligned with passion is among the greatest treasures a soul can receive.

The third flame is gratitude. “Not a day goes by that I’m not thankful,” she declares. Gratitude is the song of the heart that transforms labor into joy and keeps success from curdling into pride. Without gratitude, the dreamer grows cold, and the worker becomes weary. But with gratitude, every day, even the hard ones, is illumined with meaning. This spirit elevates her journey beyond mere ambition and into wisdom, for she sees her career not as burden but as gift.

And yet, in her honesty, she speaks of shifting priorities. This is the mark of growth, the recognition that what once stood at the center of life may, in time, step aside for greater loves, deeper callings, or higher duties. The ancients called this wisdom metanoia, the turning of the soul. Just as a river bends yet still flows toward the sea, so too do our lives shift while remaining faithful to their essence. What once was all-consuming can, with time, find its rightful place among the many treasures of a full life.

History gives us mirrors of this truth. Consider Marcus Aurelius, who in his youth was trained for power and philosophy, consumed by duty and learning. Yet as he grew, his priorities shifted: he came to value not only rule but also justice, mercy, and the welfare of his people. His dream of wisdom did not fade, but it found balance within the greater tapestry of his responsibilities. In this, he mirrors the lesson in Chabert’s words: the dream may remain, but the heart learns to embrace new priorities as seasons change.

The lesson for us is clear: hold fast to your dreams, but do not resist the evolution of your soul. Be thankful for the work you are given, see it as blessing, and let gratitude shape your days. But also recognize when the river of life calls you to flow differently, to honor shifting priorities without regret. Dreams are not prisons; they are companions that can walk alongside new callings as we grow.

Practically, begin by cherishing your own dream and naming it, whether it began in childhood or later. Cultivate gratitude each day for the chances you are given, no matter how small. And when life shifts—when family, wisdom, or duty take precedence—do not mourn as though your dream has died. Instead, allow it to transform, to take its new place in the hierarchy of your heart. In this balance lies a life both fulfilled and wise.

Thus, Lacey Chabert’s words ring as a teaching for generations: pursue your dream, honor your blessings, live with gratitude, and accept the shifting of priorities as the mark of growth. In doing so, you will not only achieve, but also evolve—and in that evolution lies the noblest victory of all.