<p>When I was 11, I really wanted to be a pilot. In fact, I would feel bad deep inside dressing as a teacher for my career day just because I never truly knew how to express myself. It was a deep desire that turned into an obsession until a friend told me about a plane crash incident. Like the crash, my heart also crashed; it was a hard crash. My smile, which imagined me coming out of a plane, turned to a sour expression. I still wanted to become something, something unknown, but I wanted to be responsible, honest, and earn an honest living, I thought to myself.</p><p>I began to see that wanting to be a pilot, though strong, wasn't truly clear to me. Maybe I just liked the idea because it sounded good. The plane crash story, even though it was sad, actually helped me. It made me think about what truly mattered. It wasn't about being a pilot anymore, but about being a responsible, honest person who could take care of myself. This changed how I thought. I stopped chasing just one job and started looking for my true purpose. It was no longer about a fancy name for a job, but about the kind of person I wanted to be and how I could help.</p><p>Along the way, I met people I thought would shape me, but something I've realized is that true growth doesn't come solely from others. Yes, they contribute to how we want to see ourselves, that "perfect look," but most times, it's not just that; it's you trying and pushing yourself to always do the right thing, always getting things done well, and truly living life. We live every day and die once, and most people neglect that fact – a truth so undeniable, yet it seems false because of a busy schedule, that consistent struggle inside a car in a traffic jam where you're smelling engine oil. It seems false just because of that rude person, or that lonely holiday again, or simply the feeling of being forgotten. Life is brighter when you're not always trying to judge yourself.</p><p>...later I started studying International Relations, and I'm still studying it. This journey has taught me a profound lesson: when we struggle to understand what we truly want, it's often not because our choices are inherently wrong. Instead, it's because we haven't taken the time to truly know ourselves and our desires. We tend to unconsciously shift the responsibility onto others to define our path, and in doing so, we risk losing ourselves in the process. While seeking assistance is never a bad thing, especially when navigating life's complexities, it's crucial to remember that when choosing a path, it will undoubtedly be tough. Yet, by holding onto what is true and undeceiving – a realistic understanding of ourselves and our aspirations – we can find the right direction and avoid becoming a burden to others.</p>
Finding Your Own Way: A Journey of Self-Discovery
By
Trust Egbegi
•
5 plays