Dear Peers,

Life is a wondrous gift granted to us by evolution or the Divine. Perhaps it’s a little of both.

Although the origin of life (especially the human race) is complicated and utterly inconceivable, there is one simple fact that everyone can agree on: You are never too young.

We are taught to take life by the reigns and lead it in the direction that we choose. Our destiny is not fated but built upon our everyday life choices. We are constantly pushed past our limits by school, work and social expectations, and with an infinite number of options ahead of us I can genuinely deem us as the “Lost Generation.” Although it may seem as if such a title condones a negative connotation, it does not. Not only is a vast majority of our generation accepting of the differences of others, they are also very respectful of the individuality that others express. Each person is unique, and no person can be cloned in any sense of the concept. We are the “Lost Generation” because we are allowed to find ourselves with little to no limits.

With increasing population, student debt percentage and college tuition prices along with semi-stagnant wages, constant inflationary fluxes and (my all-time favorite) large percentages of jobs being unavailable without a certain number of credentials, it gets hard to make any sort of living toward one’s future. Yes, you should stay in school. Yes, you should go to college. Yes, you should maintain a social life. Yes, you should be involved in extracurricular activities, the community, family, church, adults, peers, the elderly and so on. There is no end to what you should be involved in because our world is so racked with the freedom to choose that it's overwhelming. Each person is allowed to choose a different path. Each person’s path can lead to a unique type of success. Some have the end goal of raising a family while their partner works. Some don’t want a partner but would love to have kids. Others don’t want kids at all. Some would rather work all their lives while others are fine with marrying rich. Each of those options is completely fine. Each of those options is completely rational.

We are the teens and young adults that will inherit this world. We will be presidents, governors, artists, photographers, actors, scientists, historians, nuclear engineers, theorists and so much more. We have the potential to do anything and everything. We are seekers of knowledge and acceptors of truths. Start early. Start your legacy now. You are never too young to begin to build your passion into a business. To start playing with babies because you want to be a pediatrician specializing in infants. Beginning to research places you’d love to see because you want to travel the world. Going against your parents wishes for you to be a lawyer, doctor or pharmacists because you love to sing, solve math equations, deal with animals or entertain masses. You are the builder of your destiny, and you are able to pick and choose who you want to support you on your adventure.

Our world is scary. Not because of intolerance. Not because of hate. Our world isn’t scary because of war, plague or the rise of Trump. Our world is down-right terrifying because we are allowed to become whatever we want to be, and there is little to no one that can truly stop us if we want it enough. There is never a bad time to start and there is never a specific time to stop. I believe our generation can change the world for the better. We have already changed traditional beliefs, fundamental philosophies and mass influenced new concepts. This is our world. They are our lives. There is no one that can tell you what you are meant to be. I want every Millennial to look at yourself and love what you see. If all you can see is your flaws, I promise they are not permanent. I promise you are loved. I promise you are infinitely powerful beyond measure. And lastly, I promise that this world, our earth, is our birthright. We make the choices. We are the future.

Love,

Nigel Enoch