July of 2016, my life was changed forever. I was getting ready to enter my senior year of high school, and I was really searching for some inspiration in my life, more specifically, what field I would like to go into and then what college I would attend. I was so back and forth.

Should I study business? Should I study political science and be a lawyer? Should I study computer science? Should I study media arts? Should I be an orthopedic surgeon? I was so indecisive. Before my trip to New York City, I truly knew what I wanted to do in my heart, but at the time, I felt that the odds of me doing what I truly wanted to do (and be successful with it) were nearly impossible.

Traveling to NYC, I was like, “Man… I really hope I find some inspiration, and if I don’t find any inspiration in the city that never sleeps – then guess I am doomed for failure.” Oh, was I wrong. I spent five days in New York City, and literally inspiration smacked me in the face from all sorts of directions.

First of all, the city itself – absolutely remarkable. The hustle and bustle of people trying to make it to work, to their lunch date, to a coffee shop, or just hoping that they’ll be the next person to catch a taxi. The city lights lit up my eyes like the Rockefeller Christmas tree.

The tourist attractions were extraordinary: the 9/11 Memorial Museum, the 102^nd floor of the One World Trade Center, Broadway, Macy’s, NBC Studios (specifically Studio 8H, my dream home), Times Square, Central Park, and the list goes on and on.

But then… one evening on top of a tour bus in Times Square, I look to my left and see this ginormous sign that reads, “Inspiration is Everywhere.”

I paused. I snapped a picture, and I paused. Surprised, I looked to my fiancé and said, “Oh my gosh… look, it is exactly what I was looking for.”

Now typically, when I hope or ask for something from the world, it usually discreetly gives it to me, or it does not give at all; but it literally smacked me in the face. From that moment on, I realized that I did not necessarily need to travel anywhere to discover what I wanted to be in this world.

Of course, it can definitely help, but all along it was right in front of me. Inspiration is everywhere. You can be inspired and inspire others no matter where you are in this world.

From this trip, I learned many things about myself and our world. I learned to go with my gut, and go and study the field of Media Arts. I am now a second-semester freshman at the University of Kentucky who could not love what they are doing more, and I am just getting started. I hope to one day be either a writer for Saturday Night Live or the New York Times, maybe a news anchor, a videographer, a creative director, ahhhh who knows.

All I truly know is that I want to be happy.

Always know, that no matter what this life may throw at you, the world is on your side. Keep an optimistic mind and an open heart. We can do whatever we set our minds to, despite what the doubters and haters might say. I say prove them wrong.