We were promised the world by people with the best of intentions. They believed in their heart of hearts that if we worked really hard, stayed true to ourselves and remembered the joy of life is not always the destination, we could be anything we set our minds to. At the age of 18, this is exactly what we need to hear. We need to be filled with less cynicism and more optimism. 

These influential people in our lives left out very important ingredients, though. Some of what we want to be requires sheer luck. Some of what we want to be is about being in the right place at the right time. Some of our true north is not defined by what we know, but rather who we know. These are hard truths to learn. At times, it requires the retiring of some optimism in exchange for a healthy dose of reality. 

Confronted with truth doesn't mean the truth has to be yours. Armed with new knowledge, you are better off than when you started. Here, we see the pure joy offered by experience. So, don't be detoured. This life is too short to be consumed with a cynics mind. At any age, we can be anything we want to be. At any age, we can go anywhere we want. We can do great big things. Often, at times, all that is required is a desire. And that's my desire for you, no matter how long it has been since you walked the halls of Frederick High. Never ever lose that fire. 

Thanks for entering my world, 

-Nathan