History maker or ?
"You need to find happiness right where you are"
( Photography: Simeon Alden, best friend, incredible photographer and my therapist.)
My generation has been taught to aim for perfection instead of bravery. Bravery is so important, without it, we don't push away from this need to please everyone. And we're struggling to push away and go for our own dreams and adventures because we feel that we need to keep everyone happy, we feel as though we need to do that primarily before listening to our own hearts. Or maybe we're scared to fail, so we've put on this act to keep pleasing everyone whilst secretly hiding from stepping out and going for our dreams. Either way, we've lost our bravery and courage. Failure is our greatest enemy. The risk is and will always be failure.
I look back at my favourite historical figures from Jesus, Napoleon, William Shakespeare, Aristotle, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander the Great, Martin Luther, Charles Darwin, Alexander Hamilton, Leonardo da Vinci and even Hitler. I think we all want to be remembered, the difference is going to lie between who actually gets out into the world and risks it all. "For many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14
I volunteered at an Elderly home once upon a time, and I remember expressing my dreams to a man who had lost his husband due to heart failure. He never had children and wanted to pass on advice from her previous generations: "Sometimes it's just not meant to be, sometimes dreams are meant to remain dreams." Then he looked me in the eyes said: "Worst advice ever, thank God I ignore it. Don't ever let anyone tell you that, chase those dreams. And when you accomplish those dreams look at those around you, those who have been there for you since the beginning. Everyone is destined for greatness, but only some will take on the challenge. Make sure you're apart of those some." I hope he's looking down on me and smiling. Rest in Peace Samson, you were a fighter and a warrior.
I have a list of dreams I've given up on because I always hid in the shadow of pleasing those around me, serving the needs of others before ever serving myself. I guess in some way or another that shaped my character today. I'm forever grateful for hiding in the shadows, it taught me how to observe and listen to people, yet no matter how much I wanted to talk felt the need to be silent. Yet, it's ironic because I've always been called a fighter, a girl who fights for what she wants. Yet I've only just started to fight for my right to speak. Honestly, I have no clue what I am doing in life, I turn 18 in 2 months and all I know is I want to be brave and more courageous. I want to take risks, how can we continue to sit around and not take risks? The risk may be failure, but we shouldn't care, we should want to do it anyway. You can choose to listen to these words or not, that decision is up to you. Greatness lies in you, but remember from here on you can either make history or sit on the sidelines. And you won't need to tell anyone, your actions will speak for themselves.
I wish you all the very best for 2017, I hope you find what you're looking for and you find enough bravery inside of you to go for what you want. I look forward to seeing you in the new year and what you accomplish. Be a history maker (Also check out this conference called history makers, happening in Bendigo, it's incredible, and it's something you don't want to miss ! Website : http://www.historymakers.com.au/ ) All my love, Gase.
