Most of us read Brave New World in High School (or maybe in Middle School if you were a child prodigy like myself.)
Just kidding.
Anyway, in this novel, Aldous Huxley writes in great detail what a futuristic society would entail if people were socialized from birth to essentially do one occupation for the rest of their lives. They would be given little-to-no choice in their futures. They would never have the option of choosing the road less traveled.
Lame.
You know what sounds much more intriguing than that? A society in which people pursued occupations that interested them, embodied their strengths and brought them to life.
Someone should write a book about that.
Oh wait, that's what society is like now. Genius!
Except, in our society, we often times shame people for going into a major different from our own. Maybe it's because it is seen as low income, or easy, or maybe simply because it's not something we are able to understand.
I have an immense amount of pride in the fact that in less than two years, I will graduate as an elementary school teacher with an emphasis in English. This means that, for the rest of my life, I will have the beautiful opportunity of waking up every single morning knowing that I have the chance to change a kiddo's life.
To make them smile; to help them realize their full potential.
In Miss Jewett's future classroom, we will love fiercely, work hard, make lasting friendships, and encourage each other.
Now don't get me wrong - I know a profession such as education isn't for everyone. And that's the beauty in this thing called life.
I know people who are studying to be doctors.
Artists. Lawyers. Business owners. Engineers.
I admire them for their talents that are immensely different from my own.
We need all kinds of kinds in order to make life fascinating, fitting together sort of like a puzzle.
For example, not everyone can be a dental hygienist. (While this would make for a world full of incredibly white teeth), who would manage the stores or grow the crops or help us with our finances.
Not me, that's for dang sure.
My younger brother has a God-Given talent for singing and dancing that is unlike anything I've ever seen or heard; he's phenomenally talented.
And I couldn't be more proud of him for pursuing a degree in musical theater. He hopes to one day travel with a National Touring Company in order to inspire other child actors, like he once was, to sing their hearts out and dance their shoes off.
You can't tell me that isn't motivating.
My point here isn't that all of us have this kind of talent and can perform on stage every night for a living. I myself, unfortunately, have a voice that is (more than) slightly below average.
However, I am suggesting that we all use the strengths we have been blessed with to find a major that suits us. Something that lights a spark within us to leave this world a little better than how we found it.
For me, that's my ability to connect with people. To bring people together. To ensure that everyone feels included. And to find positivity in any situation.
What is it for you?
In twenty years, I have confidence that I will able to say that, because I played to my strengths and passions, I touched at least a few lives.
"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and then go do it. Because what this world needs is more people who come alive."
