As college students, when we first meet people our conversations typically start out with, “What are you majoring in?”. Hopefully you asked their name first but I’ve found that this is something I ask or am asked in almost every conversation. I think why we start with this is because our worth is immensely tied to our what. We deem our value and our worth based off of what we do. We ask this question because success is found in the what. However, significance is found in the why. Why you do your what is where the significance lies.

However, having this constant mentality of “what” without knowing your “why” can greatly take a toll. Without your why, you’re constantly striving for the next “what” to appease you. You look for more of something, this could be more opportunities or money, but it all leads down a dead end road. Without your why, you’re left without a purpose, which leaves you empty no matter how you try to fill yourself. It’s like trying to put fuel in a purely electric car, sure it might fill something up, but you’re not going to get the car to go to it’s destination. Without your why, you may never reach your destination.

It’s extremely easy to fall into a mentality of wanting to have or be somewhere you’re not. It’s so easy to live in tomorrow- to constantly strive for the next part of your life. However, this is a dangerous mentality, it causes us to be extremely discontent with where we are now.

This “living in tomorrow” mentality comes from thinking you’d have a greater impact doing something else or being in another location. We think that the current situation we’re in is one where we can’t obtain happiness, because it just isn’t “ideal”. However, what we must do is figure out a “why” for our current situation. You don’t need to be in a different place or stage in life in order to fulfill your why.

This past year, I have felt extremely discontent at my university. Thoughts kept running through my head such as, “If only I was at ___ University, my life would be sooooo much better”. However, the saying “the grass is always greener on the other side” could not hold more true here. I was searching for a new “what” because I thought it would bring me happiness, but in reality, I needed a new “why”, actually I just needed a “why” in general. I didn’t need a different university in order to make a difference, I didn’t need a new university to help others, I didn’t to be a doctor in order to change lives, I could fulfill my why right where I am and at this present moment.

For just one moment, take a look at your life and see everything that is good about it. Stop looking for the magical door that will take you to your ideal life. This is the life you have, enjoy it, or you're going to be miserable no matter where you go. Find your purpose. Find your why.