Who Are You?

When we were growing up we all wondered what kind of person we would become.  We all had dreams of what we wanted to be.  Do you still think about it today?  I think for most of us, we have regrets. At some point, we stop wondering who we are going to be and start wondering why we aren't who we thought we would be.  I get stuck in ruts every once in a while and look back at where I turned left and a right would have been better.  I try not think back and have regrets, which is almost impossible considering the choices I've made.  I sat down today and thought about who I want to be, it was kind of refreshing.  I realize I am in a unique position where I am starting over and I get to focus on who I’m going to become.  I still think it’s a good idea for everyone to once a month, take a look around you and decide where you want to be next month, next year, next decade.  My current journey has made it impossible to live the life I had before both due to time constraints and much less money, but I believe in the end that where I want to be will be worth the sacrifice.  I hadn't thought about it in such a long time, I had spent so much time trying to navigate the future according to the past that I forgot how easy it is to look forward and make a plan.  Even if the plan doesn't work out it’s a road map.  If something happens that changes the direction you’re going, don’t look back right away.  Stop and take a look at how it affects where you want to be and who you want to be.  It wasn't until about 9 months ago that I decided I wanted to be a college professor and I have been working hard to get there.  I have opportunities ahead of me that will give me a great shot at it.  I have things in my past that will make it difficult but I refuse to look at those or worry about those.  If something happens and I have done everything I can to get where I want to be and external forces prevail, I will still have a bachelor’s degree from a good university and hopefully a master’s degree from a private university.  At the very least I will wind up with a master’s degree and the ability to find a good job even if it’s not the one I thought I would have.  At this point I have done nothing in my life that I planned on as a kid and it’s been a great life.  I have had a life full of surprises, disappointments, wonderful friends, excellent adventures, world travels, extreme ups and downs, magnificent times, and great and wonderful experiences.  I wouldn't trade one mistake for a hundred right turns when I was younger.  I just wish everyone could take a minute and look forward, evaluate who you want to be when you grow up.  I promise you’re not done yet and you always have time to change the world.