Dear Change,

When I graduated high school a few months ago, I was so excited. The last fours years finally paid off and I was ready to receive that diploma. Then, I saw you. I loved the idea of graduating and being able to end that chapter of my life, but you reminded me that a whole other part of my life has yet to begin. As I sat there during commencement, waiting to have my name called out so I could receive my diploma, I contemplated everything that I knew you stood for, seeing you at my graduation.

I would have to wake up the next morning as a young adult, in the real world. A world that can be so nasty and cruel, yet I'm supposed to somehow persevere. Mom and Dad were always there for me, every step of the way. Not holding my hand, but far enough behind me to make sure I was okay. I was far from sheltered by them. My parents believed that in order for me to make it in the world we live in today, I would have to learn from a very young age to be independent and to fend for myself.

Graduating high school meant beginning college. Seeing you didn't make me afraid of being on my own or having to live somewhere that wasn't my home.You made me think about being nothing less than being successful when I leave high school. College meant degree, and degree meant job. I'm growing up in a time where you need a degree to make money. You have to be the best, everyday is a constant competition and you never know what's going to be the game changer.

High school does a great job with setting you up for the competition in today's world. You have a class of, in my case, eighty students. All fighting to be sitting in the front row at graduation, so you can be seen as part of the Top Ten of your class. Of course it sounds great, but like everything else in this world, you have to work. You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to make it to the top. It's not a smooth ride whatsoever, you may have some bumps, sharp turns, dead ends, and the occasional flat tire. Although you may hit some minor setbacks, and you have came to your breaking point, in high school there was always someone their to help you bounce back, and get a grip. In college, you have yourself.

There is no more security blanket, there's you. You are your security blanket. You get a flat tire, you better know how to fix it. In my case, I'm fortunate to have been raised to deal with real life situations, and how to really get myself on track if I was ever to derail. I'm fully capable of making it on my own and unlike a lot of people, Change, you don't scare me. For the last eighteen years, I have been growing and working to become the individual I am today. Your curve balls never struck me out and your fast balls, were never fast enough.

So, as we both sat at my commencement, know that I knew your intentions, and you can by all means throw them my way. I received my diploma, and I woke up the next morning ready to tackle whatever you have set up for me. I may not know what you're going to do, but it doesn't matter. If I live worried about tomorrow, I will never be successful today. That's where you, Change, would win, but that's not going to happen on my watch. I will be the winner today, tomorrow, and every day after that. I'm not going to fear you, I'm going to embrace you. I'm going to take what you give me and make it something worthwhile.

Sincerely,

The One Who Knows Your Game