If you are reading this… It’s too late. Just kidding! Didn’t want to miss any opportunity to bring Drake into this. LOL. But seriously, if you are reading this, there is probably a reason. The title of this article probably drags you in because we're all constantly looking for some sort of advice. As a college student, I know I am. Although adults think that it goes in one ear and out the other when they speak, they couldn’t be more wrong. I’m a second semester freshman in college, my life is borderline a mess all the time, the more advice the better, keep ‘em coming mom!

This little piece of advice was actually given to me a long time ago… I was probably no more than six or seven years old. My biggest role model, my late grandfather, was a blooming garden of advice, taglines, and life changing stories. Remarkable, honestly. But the one thing he told me that really stuck, especially now that I am just stumbling through college hoping to not lose motivation, and fail out, was this:

“You will never work a day in your life if you are doing what you love.”

Now of course, this is much easier said than done. We are going to school to get an education which will hopefully lead to a well-paying, stable job in the future so that we can support ourselves and our family.

That’s nice and all, but think of how many adults you know that have done exactly what they were told and followed that seemingly straightforward path. Sure, they may be doing well; they have a home, and a family, and take the one vacation for a week every summer to *insert beach name here*.

But how happy are they really?

Whether they have a desk job or are practicing a specific profession. No amount of promotions will truly make them happy if it’s not what they love. A lot of them aren’t even putting to use the degree that they got in college.

Sure, they may smile and tell you they are happy, that is if anyone even ever asks them. They feel grateful for all that they have, but there is a reason they can’t wait for things. As people, we spend an incredible amount of time just waiting for things. They can’t seem to wait for closing time, the weekend, vacation, etc. That couldn’t be more of a sign that, no, they aren’t doing what they love. They aren’t living. They are simply existing. What a gloomy world it would be if we didn’t do what we loved, and instead, simply existed?

Then one day, fifty years from now when you are sitting on your rocking chair looking at all the frames filled with pictures that decorate your home you’ll realize you were happiest when you weren’t working. But we spend most of our lives working.

You’ll be telling your grandchildren that they can do ANYTHING they set their minds to. That the sky is the limit. You’ll remember then, and only then, that someone once told you that same thing.

So what happened?

It’s so easy to get lost in the crowd and find that following a plan or orders is simpler. But don’t let it fool you; temporary happiness will fade. You don’t want to be sitting in that rocking chair wishing that you followed your dreams. You want to be rocking back and forth smiling about how you truly never did work a day in your life, because you were doing what you loved.

So travel, explore, and not only listen to your heart but follow it. Let it guide you, and one day you won't regret it. My grandfather sure didn't.