I can think of a ton of authors who have strongly impacted my thoughts and actions, yet, there are a couple who have changed my outlook on life the most. Chris Colfer of Glee and YouTube sensation Connor Franta pack a punch into their writing -- they take the idea of living life to the fullest to a whole new level. This week, I've decided to carry their inspiration further and spread the love.
“Like having a great idea, life comes at you fast. It hits you and tries to escape and be expressed in any way possible. In a way, it's a lot like...lightning.” Chris Colfer, "Struck By Lightning"
Life is completely unexpected. It will throw curveballs at us when we least expect it -- an abundance of circumstances are capable of holding us back from chasing our dreams and achieving our goals. As disappointing as setbacks can be, only the brave can work their way through alternatives to getting back on top. I believe that the only way to follow this process is to stay open-minded. We should be optimistic and able to see the brighter sides of any given situation. If we choose to shut ourselves down, we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to fight our way out to a greater outcome.
“Who are you? Answer: you are who you are in this given moment. Label-less. Limitless. Remember that from this day forward.” Connor Franta, "A Work in Progress: A Memoir"
Whenever I read this quote, the word “limitless” echoes through my mind. Our past does not define us, it is who we are in a single moment in time, in any given situation, that carries us forward. To be limitless is to be free without any boundaries. In this case, we should extend ourselves, step out of our comfort zones, and dive into new opportunities. We either choose to follow our own instincts, or we collaborate with others to understand deeper meaning.
Connecting with peers allows us to have a broader range of thinking and gives us a better opportunity to interpret ideas in different perspectives. Through this, we can learn and consider things that we may not have known or thought about before. We'll have a stronger respect for the various perceptions we are introduced to, and we're able to have a greater general knowledge of what combines different ideas and of what sets them apart from one another. Being open-minded plays an important role in diving in because nobody would be able to accomplish anything without doing so. We can combine even the most different aspects of life and apply them to our own personal goals and dreams.
“Own every aspect of who you are and present it to the world with the utmost pride.” Connor Franta, "A Work in Progress: A Memoir"
Self-expression is an extremely important feature of the developing mind. Through it, we interact with the outside world in our own individual ways. We can communicate our ideas and thoughts through anything from art, to music, to simply speaking or writing. It seems that today’s society is constantly trying to make us become someone that we are not, however, if we continue to be considerate of what's around us, we can consider what the real messages behind the media are, and we are able to make important decisions for ourselves. We should never hold back from being who we are simply because it is easier to be somebody else. We should take pride and confidence in ourselves and push our feelings of vulnerability aside. As vital as it is to be able to connect with others through ideas and interests, it is also important to keep in mind that we must celebrate individuality and everything it stands for.
“...because a life without meaning, without drive or focus, without dreams or goals, isn't a life worth living.” Chris Colfer, "Struck By Lightning"
Reaching a goal doesn’t mean always following the same path we have originally planned. If we are willing to expand our minds and branch out in our actions, we can find ourselves taking baby steps through different ways than we have originally anticipated or planned. To have dreams and a general idea of who we want to be in the future, we should have creativity behind our desires. Without it, we are less likely to appreciate other factors and personal interests; thus, they will not have a stronger input in our lives. We shouldn't shut ourselves out from the extensive opportunities we have in our lifetimes. Taking chances allows us to discover what we are and are not interested in, and we can find our own purpose in the process. It is not the dreams that fall through that break us; it is ultimately the dreams we never dared to dream in the first place.
