Dear those afraid of the future,

You are getting through your day the best you can. You have your highs and lows. Some days are better than others. You often wonder if all of this is worth it; if all the exams, late nights and stress are going to amount to anything. I know you've failed before. When you look back to where you wanted to be and where you are now they don't line up. You're not necessarily unhappy. What you are is uncertain. You're waiting for a sign that everything is going to work out, that your life will line up. You're waiting for the day where you can look back and finally say I made it.

You're afraid of the future and that's understandable. But why be afraid? Fear only holds you, hidden. I have learned for myself that fear and worry get me nowhere, but yet I still fret. Why do we do this to ourselves? Is it because we don't believe in ourselves enough? Why do we let our failures hold us in bondage? I'd like to believe that finding purpose is mind over matter. Our future is dependent on our thoughts when we fail instead of the fact that we failed.

I know I'm no expert on the future because I've never been there, but I want all those afraid of it, like I am, to instead be excited for what is to come. We should change the conversation and when someone asks us what we want to do with our life we should not be afraid to answer, "I don't know." Society forces us to have our life planned out and if we don't reach our desired goals it is seen as failing. Our ultimate dreams and goals might not be what we picture for our life now, but that's okay. Because I like to believe that if one works hard enough and works to possess a positive attitude, everything will work out. These simple, yet important words are key to conquering this fear.Everything will be okay.

Hope is defined as "a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen." We are not always given what we want but instead what we need. And although fear and uncertainty for what happens next in our lives can be overwhelming; we must never lose hope. I'm sure there will be stress and angst and sadness in the future. But I am also sure it will be filled with happiness and warmth and eminence.

So to all of you, like me, who are anxious for the rest of their lives, enjoy today. You will never be the same as you are in this instant. So, enjoy the wonder that is you in this moment. Do not fret about your fate. The best is yet to come, my friends.

"Or maybe it's just that in all this time, no matter how badly I tried, I never mastered the art of giving up hope." -r.i.d.