As a recently graduated high school senior, I have experienced all that comes with being a young adult preparing to enter the “real world.” The anxiety-inducing questions, the relief of finally being “free,” the fear of what is waiting out there for us. As we grow and mature, different paths are chosen. Some of us choose to further our education; others enter the workforce. No matter the path chosen, we all experience the same thing: a strange mix of anxiety and relief. This common experience is what unites us as newly emerged young adults. Similar to a bird leaving the nest for the first time, we feel the freedom of being able to fly with our own wings; in contrast, we also experience the fear of failing. Despite what our parents or teachers or friends may tell us, we won’t all be successful. Statistically, a few of us are bound to fail, destined to crash and burn as we watch our dreams go up in flames. This is the fear that holds us back from soaring. The fear of reaching too far, of leaping before you look, the fear of disappointing our parents--or worse--ourselves. I know people say “as long as you are honest with yourself and do your best, you can never disappoint yourself or others,” but that just isn’t true. In today’s world, with the burden of student debt and an increasingly demanding world hanging over our heads, disappointment is a very real--and terrifying--possibility.
As kids, we were told we could be anything we wanted: a doctor, a lawyer, even a space cowboy if it struck our fancy. As life goes we on, we are told something else: you can be anything you want, within limitations, “Oh, you want to be an artist? Do you really think you will be successful?” Despite the encouragement we often grow up with, no one really believes you can be anything.
The reality of it is simple: dreams change, the world evolves, and life goes on. No matter how determined you are, being a space cowboy is simply not a plausible aspiration; at least not yet. When you are told you aren’t motivated enough to be a doctor or a job is “not good enough,” don’t back down. Maybe what they say is true; maybe you aren’t motivated enough to be a doctor, or you do have too much potential to settle for something “below” you. But will that always be true? Not necessarily. You can push yourself, set goals and aspirations, and inspire yourself. Despite what pessimists may say, people can change. Maybe in high school you weren’t motivated enough to become a doctor, or you were motivated for all the wrong reasons; is that still true today?
In essence, as people change and develop, so do dreams. Your dreams can become a reality; all you have to do is push. When we are asked what we want to do when we grow up, a wide variety of answers are given. When I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be a mommy; now I am aiming for Physician Assistant school. When people tell you that your dream is simply not possible, that assumption is based on your current self. When you achieve the supposedly impossible dream, that victory is based on who you are now. Remember, you will change, and you will succeed. All you have to do is try.
