In Bloom

This time of year, I find myself watching commencement speeches from various universities around the country. They invite historical figures, political leaders, and industry trailblazers to inspire, to challenge, to give hope to the graduating class. The speeches are filled with words of wisdom, and they're also filled with metaphors that are a bit out of a reach, or worse, a cliché.

"You're a ship embarking on its maiden voyage," "Be true to yourself," "Follow your passion/heart/dreams/fear."

But, I guess they're clichés for a reason. As corny, overused, and unoriginal as they sound, these phrases tend to have a big impact on those who are standing at the precipice. They instill a sense of grandeur that is supposed to empower you to make more out of your life, become more. It's as if these commencement speakers are handing over the reigns to this country's future, for you to do with it what you will. In essence, they are. They challenge and champion these barely-twenty-year-olds to find a way to make a difference and change the world.

"History rarely yields to one person, but think and never forget what happens when it does. That can be you. That should be you. That must be you." - Apple CEO Tim Cook at George Washington University

No pressure.

I equate it to sitting at the beach, or standing on a cliff, and staring out at the horizon. That feeling of openness and emptiness at the same time. Open because there are just so many possibilities. And empty because there are so many possibilities. Where do you start? And, how the hell are you going to get your butt to that horizon?

The speeches paint a pretty picture. Some promising that if you stay true to yourself, you'll get there. Well, I'm four years out of college and I'm not sure if I'm "there" yet. I don't even know where (or what) "there" is.

"I don't know" is often an unacceptable answer, especially at 25. Though, age is relative, right? To some in my industry, I'm a baby. To others, they're wondering why I'm not having a baby. (No thanks, for now.) And to others still, I'm at the ripe age to take a giant leap of faith and just go for it. Go for what it is that I'm truly passionate about. Go for that "there" on the horizon.

Some would wonder why bother with all this? They argue that I'm already doing really well for myself. I have a steady job at an important company, doing important things with an impact on thousands of people every day. Some would even kill for what I have.

That is true, and I'm so grateful. But every now and again I put myself back into the mind of college-me, high school-me. This time of year is a time of reflection, as if I'm still wearing my cap and gown, and I ask myself: What do you want to be when you grow up?

I think back to how I had imagined my life to be. What more can I become? What more do I care about? Do I have more to give?

More, because I refuse to believe that this is it.

"You discovered a talent, developed an ambition, and recognized your passion. When you feel that, you can't fight it. You just go with it...You aren't just following dreams; you're reaching a destiny." - Actor Robert De Niro at NYU Tisch School of the Arts