The Next US

This past week in class the creators of The Next US came and spoke to our class. David and Susan travelled America and found people who are following their dreams and doing what they are passionate about. After studying abroad in Spain last semester, and seeing different ways of life I promised myself that I would live a life of happiness. Going to another country made me realize that the world has so much to offer and at the end of the day the only important thing is that you are happy. Although this is something that I believed prior to hearding Susan and David speak, it was so nice to see people who turned this belief into a reality. These people showed that it is possible to live my dream. My parents always told me that I could do anything I want in my life and I think that is the best thing you can tell a child.
After I graduate in May I plan on moving to Santorini, Greece to work during the high season and to make some money. I am passionate about travelling and learning about cultures but I don't know what kind of job could allow me to do this. The Next US has really inspired me to do some soul searching and figure out what I want to do.
I have seen too many adults that are "successful" by society's standards but they never seem to be happy and fulfilled. I have even had adults tell me of things they regret missing out on when they were younger. They didn't seize the day and take every opportunity presented to them. I want to make sure that when I am older I am successful and without regrets. When I think of success in my life I think of being healthy, happy and having the people I love near me.
This leadership class has given me more motivation to search for a passionate life. Often times in our society people think that straight out of college you should go into the business world, working 40+ hours a week and striving to make the most amount of money possible. Constantly having this belief around you and pushed on you can start making someone lose hope for their passion.
Today I met with a woman that I am going to start babysitting for. She told me how she went to school for engineering because that is what her parents pushed her to do and then out of college she got a mundane engineering job. She told me that she is a bubbly person who loves to be around people and that the environment didn't fit her personality. The thing that she had been passionate about her whole life was interior design. After several years, she finally quit her engineering job and is now an interior designer. She told me how it is so important to do what you want and that there is no such thing as "practical" and "realistic". If there is something you want to do, then do it!
I love meeting people like this and I think that everyone in the world would be much happier if they approached life in this manner. I cannot wait to figure out how I can follow my passions!