When I was younger, I wanted to be so many different things when I grew up. Every time a person asked me, my answer was different. I wanted to be a white tiger tamer, a writer, a publisher, an editor, a teacher, a doctor, a nurse, a tattoo artist, a race car driver, a chef or a fish. I had so many hopes and dreams, I couldn't keep track of them. My parents always encouraged me to try new things and they never told me that my dreams were unattainable or stupid. They would smile and actually engage in conversation with me about it, asking what I liked and didn't like. They would sometimes offer up similar professions and asked me what I thought about those. The point is they never discouraged me from doing something I wanted to do. They supported and encouraged me fully. When I told them I was going to become a theatre major in college, they didn't ask what I was going to do with a degree like that, like many other people had. They just asked if I was happy doing it. I, of course, said yes and they were satisfied by that.
In our world today, we're taught to go after the money. Children are encouraged to be doctors and lawyers and engineers so they can be financially stable when they're older. If someone chooses to pursue something in the arts, the term "starving artist" usually comes up in the conversation. It's as if there's little belief that an artist can be successful, even though we see and read about hundreds of artists every single day. But if someone chooses a scientific or technical career path, many people believe that this is a career path with guaranteed success. Success is something that you make for yourself; nothing can guarantee it besides hard work and the drive and passion you feel. Some people may say that certain careers are all about who you know and what connections you have, but those connections and relationships mean nothing if you have a poor work ethic and a bad attitude. You have to genuinely crave and want success to earn it. You can't live your life waiting for things to be handed to you or waiting until the time is right. You have to put everything you have into your work or you won't get where you want to be. It's as simple as that.
I don't know where I want to end up in life. I still haven't finalized my career goals—much less my life or family goals. But I'm only 20 years old. I shouldn't have every part of my life planned out. I still have time to dream and time to change my mind. I still have time to explore everything I want to do. I know I've got a strong work ethic, a good head on my shoulders and a passion for what I love. That will get me as far as I want to go.
