Good evening, everyone!
I want to start by telling you something very important: high school is just the beginning. It’s a stepping stone, the first step toward becoming the person you want to be. And you know what? It’s perfectly okay if you don’t have everything figured out yet. None of us do when we’re in high school. I certainly didn’t!
When I was in high school, I had this dream of becoming a chef. I was passionate about food, loved the creativity of cooking, and decided that’s what I wanted to do. So, I went to college and spent four years studying to become a chef. I got my diplomas, learned all about cooking, and even worked in kitchens. For a long time, that was my goal and my path.
But here’s the thing – life doesn’t always go as planned. And that’s not a bad thing! Today, I’m not working in a restaurant. Instead, I’m standing here speaking to you all, traveling to medical colleges and universities around the country as an inspirational speaker. This isn’t something I ever imagined I’d be doing when I was in high school.
What I’ve learned through my journey is that it’s great to have a goal. It gives you direction and purpose. But it’s also important to understand that life is full of twists and turns. Sometimes, things don’t happen exactly the way we want or expect them to. And that’s okay. You may not end up where you originally planned, but that doesn’t mean you’re lost. You’re simply on a different, sometimes even better, path.
So, if you don’t know exactly what you want to do in life right now, don’t stress! High school is just the first chapter. Keep learning, growing, and following your passions. As you move forward, your experiences will help you find your way, just like they did for me.
Life is about discovering who you are, one step at a time. And trust me, each step – even the unexpected ones – brings you closer to the person you’re meant to become.
