In this moment on Heal Meditations.
To the college student,
I know you and your professors may not want to hear this.
Your ability to memorize for an exam does not matter.
You're not an empty vessel that needs to be filled with facts,
Theories,
And theorems.
You are soul with a heart,
Emotions,
Gifts,
Experiences,
And a brilliant mind.
Focusing solely on your intellectual capacity that education has defined limits your possibilities,
Ignores your intuition,
Denies the knowledge you've gained from your lived experiences.
You are so much more than a letter grade,
A test score,
A GPA,
A career path,
A degree major.
Please,
For your own soul,
Stop believing your worth is defined by these things.
Might you consider contemplating your passions,
Your strengths,
Your gifts,
The things you love to do,
Rather than concentrating on your degree,
Your career.
You will be most useful to the challenges of the world if you focus on the talents you have that your community needs.
Focus on your curiosity,
Your creativity,
Your ability to solve problems,
Your presence in a society that needs somebody to care,
To live in integrity and grace.
Pursue these things and find joy in your days and excitement in your spirit.
This is living.
Pursue your best life,
Not a career path.
Know that whether you earn a PhD,
An MD,
A bachelor's degree,
An associate's,
A GED,
A life well lived is not about the money you make or the titles you earn or the authority you have over others.
A life well lived is about who you love and who loves you.
It's about the people you help and the memories you make along the way.
Please don't succumb to the idea that you are only a student.
You are evolving into the best version of yourself,
Learning,
Adapting and challenging.
And to the student who is pursuing a degree you are miserable in to make someone else happy,
I know it's hard.
I know you are unhappy.
I know you feel as though your life,
Your decisions,
Are not your own.
If I might suggest you find ways,
No matter how big or small,
To create a life that delights your heart.
Most whom love us want us to be successful and fulfilled and secure.
When we journey to this,
Most whom love us beam with pride of our success.
Not everyone who wants what is best for us always knows what is best for our lives.
Have courage,
Be persistent,
And find the ways to your heart path.
You will make mistakes.
You may not always perform to your own standards or earn the scores you had hoped.
Though ten years from now,
No one will care your GPA,
Your biology grade,
Or the verbal percentile on your GRE.
What will matter is your ability to think on your feet,
Collaborate with colleagues,
Be dependable,
And contribute to the problems that are ailing our world.
Straight A's or 4.
0,
Don't declare these things.
So start striving for experiences that challenges you outside your comfort zone,
For new perspectives or ways of thinking.
Push yourself to try new things,
Meet new people,
While loving yourself and your journey.
If you do this,
You'll find yourself thriving in your own time.
Your development,
Your journey to your destined purpose isn't a race,
And doesn't have to look like your classmates.
Yes,
Work hard,
But trust your life will unfold one decision at a time,
And in the direction and space you were always meant to be.
