What Comes Next?

When you're young, you’re taught to set Goals.

GOAL

- Noun

- Result or Achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.

Kids in elementary schools are asked the 'biggest' question; "What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?" and maybe they answered with wanting to be a Vet, or a Firefighter, maybe even a Superhero, the sky was the limit.

Then we start growing up, we get older and start making an endless list of goals we have. Throughout life we cross things off that list, and then add new ones. We set goals our entire life, things that keep us motivated and determined to work harder and harder every day.

Some goals can be small, such as reading one chapter of a book each day, learn to play a card game, or getting a certain grade on your biology exam.

Some goals can be bigger, like doing a 30 day yoga challenge, or eating healthier, maybe training to run a marathon.

Sometimes we set a lifelong goal. The one that you look at as your Dream. Maybe you want to be an Olympian, or actually become a Firefighter to save people, or maybe your dream was just to get into a certain College/University after high school.

We all set goals or have the lifelong dream. I’m no different.

I've had the dream of moving to a certain state and working for a certain company for as long as I can remember. EVERYTHING I did in school was geared towards and specifically strategized for this. Take the right classes, do the online research, network, volunteer as much as I can, etc. Every aspect of my life has revolved around this goal for YEARS!

But here's the part no one ever prepares you for - when the dream comes true. I spent so much time mapping out the plan for my future and at times I wondered if I’d ever get there. Would the excessive amounts of all nighters in college pay off? Would I ever be given a chance to do more?

We set the goal, and finally achieve it, cross it off the list, and then just sit there with it right in front of us with no idea what to do with it. We sit there just trying to hold onto it. Scared that someone is going to take it away from us.

I reached my goal. It’s surreal to even think about it. But this opportunity is so amazing, I would/could never pass it up. Moving my entire life is scary, yes. It’s exciting to think I could move to a whole new place and start a new adventure. It also scares the hell out of me. But I would regret not taking this opportunity and jumping right in.

“So for now I say goodbye to this chapter in my life and I look forward to what comes next.” - Sophia Bush