What's Your Why?
Yesterday, I wrote about mistakes. Today, I will write about purpose. People are fascinating, aren't they? Consider this: we are all searching for happiness, constantly wandering around in the dark, and learning. It's everyone's first time around. We're all newbies. And yet, we always seem to be competing with one another. Each and every person wants to make a mark on the world and to feel special in some way; this is something that both unites and distinguishes us.
Personally, I think it is incredible that there are about 7.442 billion people on Earth (although it's kind of odd that we have fractions of humans - I guess you only really need one kidney). Out of these 7.422 billion people, there are 7.422 billion different personalities. Unique dreams. Diverging struggles, fears, hopes, and stories. This is evident everywhere, including within my school. My friend "O" aspires to be a psychiatrist, while "E" wants to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. Then there are the future investigative journalists, marketing managers, and athletes. Some of my peers have sleek blonde hair while others have ebony curls. Some are Jewish, some are Mormon, and some are Atheists. There are a variety of sexual orientations, friendships, skin tones, cultures, and of quirks. And may I just say - I love it!
Now, even though we are all remarkably different upon first glance, I'd like to go back to my initial point: we all have the same fierce, innate desire to do something remarkable. To fit in. To be accepted.
So I ask you , dear reader - what is your purpose? Why do you wake up every morning? What do you love? What change would you like to bring to the world? Do you perhaps want to unite humankind with music, or design a new self-driving car? Do you build puzzles? Do you love your dog, or your cat, or your parakeet, or your White Siberian Tiger? (I'm talking to you, Mr. Mike Tyson.) Is scraping the stars the reason you are here, or are you simply motivated to get through the day so that you can binge watch Stranger Things?
As for me? My purpose is to make people smile. When I throw back the sheets each morning, it is with the intent of having a beautiful day. My alarm goes off so that I can enjoy some cheesy arugula eggs at a breakfast table with my family. I strive to be kind and understanding, and to be a leader. I believe that everyone is worth celebrating, in some way or another. My purpose is to work hard and to try my best. I love to cook, to write, and to exercise. My goal is to inspire other people to be positive influences in their respective communities. I advocate body positivity and self-acceptance, because in a world full of Photoshop and ideal appearances, that stuff is hard. It hasn't been an easy road; in the words of poet Langston Hughes, "It's had tacks in it,/ And splinters,/ And boards torn up,/ And places with no carpet on the floor./ Bare" (Lines 2-6, "Mother to Son"). But I've discovered that gratitude is the best medicine for challenging experiences. My why is to trip, to make mistakes, and to learn from it all. I don't know where my life is headed; I do know, however, that I want to enjoy every minute of the ride.
How about you, reader? What's your why?
Have a lovely rest of your day!
-Maya
P.S. A shout out to all of the wonderful teachers participating in the Teacher Protests mañana!
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