Be whoever you want, live however you want

It feels as though the expectations set on me keep increasing. My parents, friends, peers, all have this vision of my future, but I don’t see it. Everyone my age does whatever they can to fit in. Why? Why fit in when you are unique? When you naturally stand out? (Rhetorical question)

Be Passionate

The only way to truly make an impact in this world is to set your own expectations and follow your own rules. Children have wild imaginations. Growing up, their ideas for their future are endless; baseball player, astronaut, ballerina. As we get older, our imagination gradually decreases as society tells us which occupations are realistic and which ones are not. Why can’t I become a ballerina? Nothing in life is permanent, but why can’t my imagination be? As a typical teenager, society is constantly telling me what is right and what is wrong, what I can and can’t do (Parallelism). We are given a great amount of potential, it is within us. When we begin to accept and love who we are, we’ll be able to understand our true potential. So go ahead, become a ballerina, throw that pitch as quick as a marlin (Hyperbole), the only thing stopping you is yourself. Passion is the fuel that makes life worth living. It builds energy, pushes us to do things out of our comfort zone, and inspires others. If you are passionate about a job or a hobby, pursue it, hold on to your imagination (Statements of opinion and personal belief). You set your own limits, you have your own expectations.

Gandhi as an Example

Mohandas Gandhi (Appeal to figures of authority) was the leader of India’s non-violent independence movement against Britain. He inspired and led protests against discrimintion and for economic empowerment. If Gandhi had followed expectations set by the people around him, the world would not be the same today. Gandhi risked his life to save the lives of countless people in India. As we remember Gandhi’s birthday on October 2, the world commemorates that day as the International Day of Non-violence. On this day we are given the opportunity to reflect and reevaluate our own lives. It gives us a chance to see what else we can do to be the change in our lives, just as Gandhi did. This is our starting point.

Life is Too Short

We have a remarkable amount of potential. So why spend our highschool days smoking or getting drunk. Why not have fun with the people who actually care about us? This is our future, and right now, this is where we decide what we want to do with it. As Gandhi once said, “ Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.” Life is too short to focus on the negative things in life. Value the precious things, look towards the future, and avoid holding grudges. With such little time, why waste it proving your worth to others. Use this time to prove your worth to yourself. This is your moment, your future. So, why try to be someone else? Be whoever you want, live however you want. No one can tell you who you should be, no one can dictate your worth. Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind (Dr. Seuss).