I am a creative being. For as long as I can remember, art has been an important part of my life. My father is also a creative being, so as a child I was not chastised for expressing myself in an artistic way, it was just who I was. As I got older, my peers and classmates began to stray from painting pictures every day and singing songs, as they found different pastimes to stimulate their minds. Unfortunately, this mental shift happened to a large percentage of those I knew, and my artistic goals became unrealistic in the eyes of others. Of course, my mind matured as well, but I brought my art along for the ride.

I began to wonder why my aspirations weren't considered as valid as those of my peers, but I always came up short. I couldn't answer the questions I was asking myself because on paper it all made sense. Creative careers are a risk. Why wouldn't society warn me about how my dreams are unrealistic when there are so many struggling artists in the world? My entire future was filled with uncertainty. But as I have grown, I have experienced how beautiful my passions truly are. They have the ability to inspire, to change. More often than not, people fear what they don't know. It can be difficult to stray from the comfort of knowledge. I've also learned that I am the only one who knows my mind. Of course, others are going to think my dreams and goals are crazy -- it's challenging to materialize the validity of achievements that are not our own. So, keep an open mind about yourself and your purpose. You were given an array of skills and talents that no one else has. No one else can do anything exactly the same as you. It's OK if your purpose isn't to be a doctor or lawyer, because what's really important is that you use your special talents to build a life that you love. (For example, I am good at talking. My family has joked about it for years. But here I am, doing just that, and loving it.)You don't need validation from others that your dreams and goals are important. Does it make you happy? Does it give you the life you want? Go for it. It is OK to change your mind. It is OK to live your life one way and then decide that something else will make you feel happy and fulfilled. You can live the life you want, even if it takes time. It is OK to discover yourself through your passions, no matter what anyone says.

Don't spend your entire life trying to ignore doing what you love. It is okay to like who you are and what you do, even if that isn't what others want from you. Listen to yourself, love yourself, and your purpose will find you.