It's Not About Where You've Been, It's About Where You're Going
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Politics and Activism

It's Not About Where You've Been, It's About Where You're Going

Places, pasts, stereotypes, and looks are just some examples of what we allow to define us and our futures.

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It's Not About Where You've Been, It's About Where You're Going
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We all have somewhere we call home. A place where we have memories. Somewhere we learned to ride a bike, where we spent holidays, where we had family. It may be a small town or a huge city, but either way it was a place we called "home". But this place or these places do not define us as people.

Some people may have many homes, some they love or some not so much. You may have had an amazing childhood with two loving parents or perhaps a different living situation. Sometimes we get caught up in where we are from. We make it define us. Take me for example. I come from a really small town where if you are not attending college you are probably working at the local grocery store, fast food place, or factory, still living with your parents until you finally, maybe get married and have a few kids.

However, you can be the one to defy your "home's" stereotype, or any stereotype for that matter. Be your own stereotype. That's right make a new one! Be the person to go to college major in music and play in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Become the first published biologist to ever come out of the dinky town you live in. Be the youngest lawyer to create their own law firm in the metropolis you're from. But whatever you decide, be true to yourself. Keep moving forward.

We live in a society that sometimes as accepting as it seems to be, it just isn't. Occasionally, we get this perceived idea that we can not possibly do something because of where we are from, what we have gone through, financial situation, or even just because we look a certain way. All of these are completely absurd. Yes, though some dreams may need funds to power them, I believe "if there is will, there is a way". Now, I am not saying to go "cray cray" and max out hundreds of credit cards because your dream is to be a famous musician. I am saying work for what you want in life. It may mean more studying or picking up another job, but find your happiness.

Once in a while we let certain things define us. We try to fit in molds that are impossible to fit. If you have a size ten foot and you think you need to wear these shoes but they only come in a size eight, you wouldn't try to squeeze your foot in, it's impossible. This is the same situation. You can't allow your past to define the person you are becoming. Break the mold. Be who you strive to be. Work for what you want and rightfully deserve. Go to college, or don't. Move away from home or live in the same town your entire life. Sometimes you are the only wall you have to break through. Live your life how you desire, it is the only one you get after all.



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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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