When push comes to shove, we all want to be happy. Feel satisfied. Achieve whatever Maslow and his Hierarchy of Needs were talking about. Oh yeah, self-actualization. I think I know how I'm supposed to reach that level of gratification, but I guess I won't truly know until moments before my death.
The other day, I overheard a conversation between two college students. I know, I know, stop snooping, but they were loud and my earphones lost battery. One asked, “If you got terminally ill and knew you would die soon, would you switch your major?" Almost instantly, the other spit out, “Of course, I for sure wouldn't be pre-med!"
This didn't sit well with me.
First, I don't want you to be my doctor if you don't really want to do that. Yeah, there is money in that field. Yeah, there is prestige that comes with an M.D., but if you're not obsessed with doctor stuff, please don't be my physician.
You might make a shitload of money. You might attract more girls and guys you could've dreamed for. You might think you're happy, but don't waste your life because you think it's a good career.
With all that said, we are all going to die. Like it or not, we have to accept that the life we choose to live right now will come to an end. For my roommate's psychology class, she had to download an app that literally sends reminders to students that death is closer than you think. What the absolute fuck?! But, the app's not wrong.
If you'd answer the question by saying you would drop out of school, I get that, but that's not the point I'm trying to make. All I'm saying is that if you die tomorrow, will you be happy that you spent the last 20 something years of your life stressing about whatever your last freak out was about.
I've learned not to waste a second of my precious life crying over an A- because if I'm going to die soon, fuck that A-.
What I really want from my life is to promote confidence, motivation, and kindness. I don't need a 4.0 GPA to do that. I can be happy without it and, honestly, I would regret it if I spent my life sitting at my desk textbook in hand.
Do something that you won't regret when you're on your death bed.
No matter what society and those around you say, follow your dreams no matter what your true desire is. Whether that be a teacher, an artist, a journalist, a lawyer, a scientist, a model, a whatever–it's your life to live, not theirs.
Everyone else has made their choices in life, it's time to make yours. Don't live for other people.
If I died today, I wouldn't mourn my life. I never stopped expanding my yoga practice, learning how to appreciate the body I have, and inspiring others to spread kindness towards themselves and the world. That's all I could ask for.
You may not have a tomorrow, so are you really truly happy with what you're doing right now?
