Last week, I wrote an article on thoughts from five years ago. It was a reflection piece that went through some of the hopes I had and dilemmas I was facing during high school. This week, I want to make an analysis and talk about what’s changed and what I’ve learned so far.

Let’s start with the quote that was mentioned in last week’s article: “All are architects of fate living within these walls of time. So look not mournfully into the past, it comes not again."

Despite the fact that I may have grabbed this from an episode of "One Tree Hill," this quote is one that I still keep with me on my list of inspirational sayings. It comes from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and the line that follows says, “Wisely improve the Present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy Future, without fear, and with a manly heart.” From this line I learn not to have regrets, but to see every choice that I have ever made as a willful and deliberate action that contributed to my puzzle of existence. Any mistakes serve as a lesson to not be repeated again, and to take on the present with a full heart, as it is mine to take.

From the time that I was in high school, I had a strong passion to become an educator, a rewarding post where I would be able to give back to others through knowledge and personal experiences. I felt it was my job to share with others what I have learned over the years and change someone’s life. The second goal I had ties into the first one: to inspire someone, make a difference in someone’s life, to be the type of person that is sought out when advice is needed. Although I have the same ambition today about giving back to society and using personal experiences to make a difference, the means have slightly changed. I didn’t end up getting a degree in Education, however, I took the steps I thought necessary to pursue my passion for Graphic Design.

I feel that during these past five years I have met many people who have inspired me, and changed my life for the better, and I hope that I have done the same for them. I can use the Odyssey as one example of how I am achieving this goal today. This platform is an amazing opportunity to be heard; to share stories, discuss important topics that aren’t given enough attention, and to cultivate an environment that hopefully inspires others to make a difference. I am on a very small scale here, but I am glad I have found this podium to write and think as I choose.

Life is still unpredictable, and it seems like it’s going to remain that way. Presently, I don’t know which career path is the one for me, but I remain believing that today’s experiences are going to help lead the way. I remain believing that knowledge is a large and crucial tool in how we are going to progress as a society, and I remain believing that art, writing and education are a means to help. Not much has changed from five years ago, the basics are still there. But the vehicles that have changed are a result of all the doors that have been opened and closed along the way.

I leave you with another quote: “Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known” – Chuck Palahniuk, Invisible Monsters.