I recently began watching "America’s Got Talent."

This show was never one that was on my rotation – the long list of shows to which I religiously dedicate my nights. However, when my mom asked me to join her in watching a few weeks ago, I figured that there was no harm in adding a new show to my slow summer nights.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a reality TV fanatic. I can’t quite explain it, but there is something about the mindless hilarity embedded within these shows that brings peace to my otherwise hectic days. So, when I sat down to watch "America’s Got Talent" for the first time, I was expecting just that – a little mindless entertainment in the form of ridiculous auditions to clear my brain after a long day of work.

I could not have been more wrong.

Yes, there were plenty of absolutely outrageous auditions, ones that gave me the all-too-familiar “reality TV” feeling. However, it wasn’t those performances that left me wanting more. And it certainly wasn’t those acts that prompted me to add the show to my beloved rotation. It was something much more powerful – something that I had yet to find in similar shows.

It was inspiration.

In one night alone, I witnessed both an 11-year-old girl and a 90-year-old woman stand up in front of millions of people in hopes of pursuing a dream. I watched as these two contestants radiated an undeniable zest for their acts throughout the packed theater. And most importantly, I saw them find equal success in the audition phase of the competition.

As a college student, I am constantly reminded that now is my time to decide on a career, one in which I can take pride for the rest of my life. Whether it be through declaring a major or applying for summer internships, I feel pressure every day to claim a life path as my own and make significant strides toward pursuing it.

Until a few weeks ago, these ideas haunted me. I felt lost every day for not already knowing where I wanted my life to go. I felt confused by the seemingly limitless range of options. I feared that my window would close before I had the opportunity to discover my true passion – the one that will make me want to get on a stage and show millions of people what I can do.

However, I am not afraid anymore. If both an 11-year-old and a 90-year-old can achieve their dreams at clearly opposite stages of life, then I am certain there is no time limit on success. I don’t know what I want to do with my life yet, and that’s OK. All I know is that when I do, I will chase after it with everything in me – because that is the key to success.