Most of us are all too familiar with the poetically simple sequence of "Roses are red, violets are blue..." followed by an innocently cliché statement that just so happens to rhyme and fall into tune with the humorous situation at hand. We find it laughable, share some grins and continue on with the conversation, never stopping to realize that there is one problem here. Roses are not always red, and violets are not always blue, yet when asked what color they are, it is often a subconscious reaction to respond with those colors because it is ingrained in our minds. It is seldom that we stop to think that other colors do in fact exist within the names of these very flowers. It is a naturally guiltless and honest mistake that truly holds no significance. That is until we make the same misconception about ourselves.
When asked who you are, it is often a reaction to respond with your name. You've been called that your entire life, so clearly that has to be the answer. After all, your name is who you are, right? Wrong. Your name is a title, and need I remind you, it is a title not of your own choosing. It is something you were given. It was handed to you at an age of unawareness and uncertainty (granted your parents probably gave you a beautiful name). It is not who you are.
College is the beginning of the rest of your life. It is the ideal time to finally define who you are as an individual. Find the happiness in which your heart resides. Explore your interests, mingle with your thoughts and inquire into the people that catch your attention for your have endless opportunities before you. Take this opportunity to write your own definition for that name you've held onto for so long. Do this for yourself and your own fulfillment. Get out there and discover who you are; unearth who you are becoming. Build your foundation in such a way that the structure of the rest of your life is a clear representation of the path you have chosen; Frame it in such a way that it is undoubtedly certain that you put a meaning behind the title, and that the title did not put a meaning behind you. Enjoy the ride on this winding road of self making and remember roses are not always red, violets are not always blue, and you... you're whatever color you want to be.
