We all know "the look." If your hopes, dreams, and plans are even a little unconventional, or rub some people the wrong way, or aren't the normal plans for a teenage girl or boy to have, you know "the look."
It's the look people give you when you aspire to be an actress or a musician or a professional athlete. It's the look people give you when you are shooting for art or writing. Or, it's the look people give you when you say you want to be a pediatric oncologist. People doubt you. Some people even flat out tell you that there's no way. When you're a six year old (who is going to be the first woman president or you're going to travel to the moon) people tell you you can do anything; The sky is the limit. They want you to hope and dream. They want you to have goals and aspirations. But when you're 18 they give you "the look."
"There's no way you can make it in med-school" or "do you know how many people actually make it in the television/music industry? Next to none" or "do you know what percentage of college athletes really make it pro? 1 percent" they say to you. And they do say that. If you've never heard it, you're lucky.
When I was around 12 years old, I woke up one day and knew I wanted to be a children's cancer doctor. That's right. There's no reason behind it, sometimes people just feel the calling, and that is exactly what I feel. It will take four years of college, four years of med school, a few more years of internship/residency, and possibly more because it's such a specialized field. I know all of this, I have for years. But it doesn't phase me one bit. I am willing and ready.
Most people who have goals or dreams that aren't the norm KNOW what it will take to be what they want to be. They know how hard it is to make it in whatever field they have chosen. But they still want to try anyway. And there is NOTHING wrong with trying.
I don't know what some people's deals are. They literally just have to bring everyone else down. But can I say one thing to anyone like that who is reading this? STOP. It hurts...It hurts when a family member or a friend gives you "the look" or blatantly says they don't believe in your dream. If someone trusts you enough to tell you their dreams, don't crush them like a bug. Just leave people alone and be happy for them. There is nothing wrong with trying. Nothing at all.
To the people with unconventional dreams: You do your own thing. Don't let people get you down. If you want to be a ballerina, then work towards it. If you want to be the next Pablo Picasso, then be Pablo Picasso. If you want to be a cancer doctor, you will save lives (literally.) Just do it, don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. The sky really is the limit-you know, unless you want to be an astronaut.
