When you wake up in the morning, how do you identify yourself? I would start by saying I'm a student at a university, studying to eventually get a job in order to be financially sound on my own. That's the responsible thing to do, right? That is what society tells me I should do, anyway. I would possibly add to my description that I have played sports my whole life, so I am somewhat of an athlete and with that, a fan of ESPN. There are smaller labels like "friend" and "sister" I could use as well, but everyone is one of those, right? They aren't necessarily useful in making me unique. As a society, we tend to decide who we are based off of what we are told we must be. I know you're probably thinking that this is just the way the world works. Or maybe you love your job and couldn't think of anything else you would want to do, which is great. However, too often we are confined by our molds, and we don't even realize it. For example, we label men as the bread-winning, football-watching, manly man type creatures. This might be a perfect representation of who your dad really is, but this stigma can very well take away a man's opportunity to be whatever he wants.
My all time favorite quote, which comes from Marianne Williamson, perfectly describes those held back by what others think you should be.
It reads, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?"
Who are you not to be? Look at the world around you. There are thrift stores and ski resorts and a forest full of opportunity to dive into. That being said, we need to realize we can and should do whatever our heart desires. So often, our lives are snagged and pulled back by the branches of our designated role in the world. Your status should not be limited to what your job is, what kind of university you attend, or your age. In fact, your role should be to live as wonderfully and as much as you can. Whatever you believe, we were somehow given the gift of life on this earth, and to feel forced into being half of who you really are because you will be overworked or others in your role won't understand is a tragedy. Responsibilities are important, but so is pleasing yourself and living up to the potential you wish to reach. So if you want to try painting, go for it. Buy those expensive brushes and that easel and color your canvas. Be versatile. Maybe you've always wanted to hike the Grand Canyon. Take a few months off and experience it. You should never feel bad for completing who you are.
Also, you should never be limited by one factor. For years I thought that being an athlete meant I was a tom boy through and through, when really, there were other passions like writing and music which should have been a bigger part of my life. People so often put themselves in a box in order to be accepted. We, as humans, have the ability to be unique. There should be no fear in kicking ass at sports and wearing a dress. I know "High School Musical" taught us these lessons long ago, but a reminder to branch out and be the best we can be at whatever that is never hurts.
