A Future So Bright

I am no Zeus or Poseidon, but I am still quite a dynamic character. I know that I may never be able to climb up to the peak of Mt. Everest, come close to becoming the next reality show star or even win a town-wide spelling bee. I am the average Westford Academy student, but like all of us-I do know that I also have my strengths and weaknesses. So what if I can’t be perfect? That doesn’t stop me from making tomorrow better than today.

Every time my family, friends or teachers ask me what I want to become, I am compelled to give the expected answer “doctor, lawyer, engineer, banker…” Honestly, for me, being a wealthy doctor or businesswoman doesn’t bring to my mind the same excitement as much as helping people in need. Although I may not make six- figure salaries and live in mansions with luxury cars, I will be happy. I mean, when was the last time you wholeheartedly smiled at your last paycheck? But I do know that the last time my piano students learned a new scale, they smiled with their eyes. The last time I helped out at a soup kitchen, people said “Thank you!” with the warmest grin on their faces. The last time when I assisted blind children with making banana splits, they showed such gratitude that words may never be able to describe. And that’s what makes me happy.

The funny thing is that society doesn’t work like this. Our daily lives are being controlled without us even realizing it–study to get into an Ivy League, work to make a fortune, have a family, and then live a “normal” life. But how do I tell everyone that I just want to study for the love of knowledge and travel the world just to help people? I want to sell colorful trinkets in the stalls of Marrakesh, teach English to Khmer children, work at shelters in malaria-stricken Tanzania and give hope to the beautiful people of the world. At the same time, I want to enjoy—whether it is pelting tomatoes in the La Tomatina festival or riding an elephant in Thailand. I know that no one will take me seriously right now. I will need courage and support from everyone to help me achieve, what is, self-actualization. Am I asking for too much?

Hopefully I can inspire another average person like me to break the chains of society and do what brings one the greatest happiness. Maybe someday I will be able to trek across the Amazon River, create the next million dollar app or even appear on the Ellen Show, but, for now, I am happy as I could ever be. I only have one life and I want to live it doing what I love the most, which is, helping others. This I believe.