I shape myself both physically and mentally to the person I want to be and to be the best as far as the circumstances allow me. My goals are realistic and achievable and yet if the circumstances keep throwing obstacles into my way, I will go ahead and change the circumstances.

So am I "hoping" or "dreaming" ? Those only last for me for a few seconds until a logically determine whether or not they are beyond my reach or something I can achieve. If it falls into the category, which makes this "dream" desirable and at the same time achievable then it's all good. If not, then it only lasts a few seconds in my mind.

For example: I am not preparing to be an astronaut.

That's just for a demonstration of my threshold of what considered realistic or unrealistic as goal. But no, I don't have unrealistic dreams and neither expect anything that's way beyond my reach.

I despise people who live to shatter someone else's dream. To me, you can go through life just living in a rut, letting the choices you make and the circumstances that you find yourself in get the better of you. Or, you can tough it out, and work hard to achieve your goals. Yeah, we all wish that life was simpler, easy. However, when you do accomplish something, don't you always feel so good inside that it makes you happier? I know I do.

Goals are realistic, dreams are not...typically anyway. Goals are like steps, dreams are massive hills.

I can respect that answer Fear.

Or absolutely out of reach: I want to live in the Vega star system.

Just explaining the difference as my ever-so logical head sees it.

Hopes and dreams are great things to have. It lets you know what you want for your life. It is what makes you, you.