If one year ago someone told me that I’d be traveling in Europe exactly twelve months from then, I would’ve laughed and said, “Yeah, right!”

If at eighteen years old someone told me that I’d be attending college at UC Irvine, I would’ve cringed.

If at twelve years old someone told me that I’d be doing all the things I am today, I wouldn’t believe them.

The point is, we never really know where we’re going to end up. As much as we plan and organize and do everything right, sometimes life just gets in the way, and we make choices that lead us down different paths. But this isn’t a bad thing. We change when we see fit and we endure the results, and sometimes those are even better than we’d hoped for.

Sometimes I wonder how my life will turn out..I wonder where I’ll be in 2, 5, 10 years from now..but the vision is always blurry. The people, places, and the activities I envision are mysteries. And I just keep thinking, as much as I exceedingly worry about the future, I should remind myself that it can reap beautiful, enchanting, and fulfilling things, so long as I make good decisions.

A year ago my life I felt my life was bland, so routine and predictable. I had no idea what was coming, what was in store for me only one year ahead. This makes me so hopeful for the future because I know that the possibilities are endless. In my opinion, the hard part is taking that first leap and being proactive. Making your wishes comes true isn’t easy, but what motivates me is this:

The life you desire is real. It is only up to you to get there.

So I am preaching this to motivate myself as well as those who need it: get out there, experience things. Create color. Do the things YOU want to do, and nothing else. Be curious and ask questions. Don’t be too cynical, but don’t be credulous either. Be fearless if your pursuits, and worry only when you have to. Be kind to yourself and be kind to others. Lastly, love everything and love hard, for love is a beautiful thing.

The life you desire is real.