Making Young Dreams Reality

This time last year, on May 16th at 9:30a.m., I walked across the stage in Elliot Hall of Music and received my diploma from Purdue University. If you would’ve stopped me on the steps of Hovde that afternoon and told me I’d be back on campus less than a year later, I would have laughed in your face — but life happens. Here I am. Working my first full time job at the very institution I paid to prepare me for a life beyond Indiana. I know, it’s not quite what I expected either…

I thought I was going to be a big time magazine editor or advertising executive atop one of my favorite downtown Chicago skyscrapers. Instead I’m a higher ed admissions counselor — living happily and more comfortably in the nonprofit sector than I’d ever imagined. 

I’m using my skill set to ultimately help young people manifest their dreams and positively alter their realities. It’s funny how you can go to class mentally preparing for one thing but somehow use that same learning outcome to succeed at another. Only now do I understand what people mean when they say college is just as much about the experience as it is the content. The entire time I was getting closer and closer to my true passion and what I believe is my life’s purpose — but it took me leaving Purdue to realize how afraid I was to embrace it.

Like many, I wanted my career path to be easily defined, logical, and predictable. I wanted to be in control of my professional circumstances. I had no idea how scary giving in to truth could really be. But when I look back over my life — at all the things I had done out of love, all the things I did just because I cared — I found an undeniable common thread that I had been trying to deny all along. Suddenly, everything was clear, and the solution to this internal struggle I was dealing with became less about ‘giving in’ and more about ‘tapping into’…

The experiences that I enjoy the most are directly related to improving the life experience of another. I live to get the word out about individuals, organizations, or events that I feel will improve humanity’s quality of life as a whole. All of the experiences I had in college helped me to develop as a leader and they educated me on the complexities that exist within this world we all call home. As a result, I can now celebrate diversity, respectfully encourage everyone to live their dreams, and create change in the most deserving (though sometimes unexpected) communities. 

I’m thankful for my graduation day because it was one day I truly felt ready to “make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

As I reflect on my one year anniversary, I’m truly inspired and becoming more and more fearless every day. If at the moment your path doesn’t seem clear, avoid letting uncertainty in the days ahead paralyze you. Remember, the first part of Marianne Wiliamson’s quote says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”  You not only have a purpose but are adequately equipped to complete that assignment successfully. Believe and continue to achieve. 

Congratulations Graduates! 

Live your dreams. 

❤AGS