Why You Should Follow Your Dreams | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why You Should Follow Your Dreams

Believe in yourelf, even when no one else does

19
Why You Should Follow Your Dreams
Amanda Sankey

“I hope you find a rich husband”

“That major is as good as not having one”

“You can’t do that. You can’t be serious enough for that.”

“You need to get real.”

I am a big believer that you should follow your dreams. And that you should never, ever put down the dreams of others. Who are you to say what they can and cannot do? Who are you to limit anyone? Who is anyone to limit you?

Even before I could read, I would read. My mother would read me the same book often, and so I memorized it. I wanted to make her think I could read. So I pretended. I wanted so badly to be able to read. And once I finally began my long (sometimes seemingly never ending) education process that was school, I learned how to read. And read I did. I would come home from school in the first grade and read "Junie B. Jones," and "The Magic Tree House." I would sit in my room and read. I would lay on my brother’s bed and read. I would sprawl out on the kitchen chairs and read. Not to brag, but in the second grade, I was reading at a fifth-grade level. And before I knew it, I was writing.

And I haven’t stopped.

My teacher entered me in my first writing competition when I was in the third grade. Ever since my teachers have been encouraging me. They would tell me how good I was at writing. They would brag to the entire class about my work. They would tell me not to stop. It was amazing to hear these kinds of encouragements. To hear I was good at something, something I enjoyed doing.

Why isn’t that more of a thing? Why don’t we, as a society, not just encourage others, but really push them to pursue their passions?

I am a firm believer that people should do what they want. (With exceptions of course.) But with most things, most times, DO WHAT YOU WANT. You only live once; why live by the rules and boundaries set by others? Find {at least} one thing that you are passionate about. Something that has nothing to do with any person. Something that is yours. Something that brings you utter, pure, unadulterated joy. And pursue it relentlessly.

I believe you have these passions for a reason. I believe if you love something to such an extreme, there is a reason. This is why I say to follow your dreams: because God gave them to you. God gave everyone talents. And maybe yours isn’t a showy talent, one that requires people to see, hear, or read. But everyone has something they are good at. And God wants you to glorify Him with this God given talent. We are told in the Bible to be humble. But that does not mean to hide your talents, or dismiss them when someone acknowledges what you’re good at.

Goodness knows that God did not, by any means, bless me with the ability to dance. I actually look like a seal that thinks it belongs on land and is trying its darnedest to move around. I step on feet, I fall when dipped, and harm others as well as myself. But that’s OK, because I can write. God gave me that talent. And by golly, I’m gonna pursue it with everything I’ve got.

It’s a good thing that I don’t care what people say or think. But it can be pretty disheartening when all I ever hear people say is that my major is not a good decision. That I will never find a job. That I am making a mistake. But I am not one to change my mind, my decisions, or my path based on outside thoughts and opinions. Go ahead and think I am stupid for majoring in creative writing because it’s my life. Not yours. It’s my “mistake.” And I’m going to make it.

I believe, aside from God, the strongest, most influential force in this world is words. You can encourage a life, or end one, by what you say. You read all day every day. You check your phone, and you’re reading. You drive down the road passing signs, and you’re reading. The most important tangible thing on this earth is made up of words, The Holy Bible. You speak, you hear, you read, and you write. Words have power.

This is why I am a creative writing major.

So next time before telling someone their passions are wrong, ask them why they feel so inclined towards their dreams. And don’t you ever let anyone tell you that you are wrong. Think about your dreams; ask yourself why you have them. And above all, follow them.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

145
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

3666
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

2239
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

201575
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments