This post is an answer to the prompt "You've been asked to speak at your high school alma marter—about the path of life (whoa). Draft the speech.
The path of life is defined by two constants—change and uncertainty. You may have it all figured out in your mind but things will most likely go a different way, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. As your life path twists and turns, you will too. With age and experience, ideas change, views change, situations change, means change, and longstanding dreams can also change.
When I was 13, I wanted to grow up to be an astronaut. By the time I was 16, I didn't want to anymore. But you'll say that's ok, the resolutions we make as little children and teenagers almost always change, and I agree with you.
But then again, when I was 18, I wanted to be married by the time I was 24, I thought anything beyond that would be too late. I'm 25 and single now and I can't imagine wanting to be married for a few more years. But who knows, maybe in a few years I'll change again.
Life changed me, the decisions I made changed me, the experiences I had changed me, and quite importantly, the people I surrounded myself with changed me.
I currently work in writing and marketing. For almost four years now I have tried to decide between the two disciplines, and failed at picking just one. If you absolutely forced me to choose, I am still uncertain about which one I'd choose.
I realised that things started becoming more and more uncertain after I left school. Uncertainty was everywhere—which college I'd get into, which one I'd choose, what jobs I would apply for, so on and so forth.
I'm sure by now you get the gist of what I'm trying to say, especially because I'm sure you've heard it a million times before. And even though this might just be a reiteration, it doesn't make it any less real or true.
So, what I'm saying is, you never know where the path of life will take you. If you are the type of person who likes to have a plan, go ahead and make one, but allow for inconsistances when it comes to implementation. This path will take you to some beautiful places and some horrible ones, some happy phases and some lonely ones, but know that it might change at any moment. I'm not going to end by asking you to enjoy the journey, because a lot of times it will be far from enjoyable, but I am asking you to remember that things change and when you feel uncertain, lost, and down and out the most, try to fret a little less because you could be next in line for change.
When I was 13, I wanted to grow up to be an astronaut. By the time I was 16, I didn't want to anymore. But you'll say that's ok, the resolutions we make as little children and teenagers almost always change, and I agree with you.
But then again, when I was 18, I wanted to be married by the time I was 24, I thought anything beyond that would be too late. I'm 25 and single now and I can't imagine wanting to be married for a few more years. But who knows, maybe in a few years I'll change again.
Life changed me, the decisions I made changed me, the experiences I had changed me, and quite importantly, the people I surrounded myself with changed me.
I currently work in writing and marketing. For almost four years now I have tried to decide between the two disciplines, and failed at picking just one. If you absolutely forced me to choose, I am still uncertain about which one I'd choose.
I realised that things started becoming more and more uncertain after I left school. Uncertainty was everywhere—which college I'd get into, which one I'd choose, what jobs I would apply for, so on and so forth.
I'm sure by now you get the gist of what I'm trying to say, especially because I'm sure you've heard it a million times before. And even though this might just be a reiteration, it doesn't make it any less real or true.
So, what I'm saying is, you never know where the path of life will take you. If you are the type of person who likes to have a plan, go ahead and make one, but allow for inconsistances when it comes to implementation. This path will take you to some beautiful places and some horrible ones, some happy phases and some lonely ones, but know that it might change at any moment. I'm not going to end by asking you to enjoy the journey, because a lot of times it will be far from enjoyable, but I am asking you to remember that things change and when you feel uncertain, lost, and down and out the most, try to fret a little less because you could be next in line for change.
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