Rhyme and Reflection

A note to my son in his senior year in college

.. and senior year college begins ..

ah! college days .. the days of laziness .. the days of dreaming .. the days of positive optimism ..

these are also the days of finding a path from a myriad of choices .. difficult for a growing mind .. easy to get distracted .. yet you will find your path .. a path that is unique to you ..

on this path, you will find great days, bad days, speed bumps and sometimes a stop sign .. this is where your tenacity, passion and overall ability to dust everything and move forward will come to work ..

as you begin this journey, I wanted to provide you with 5 Markers to ponder upon .. I see you wince but hear me out ..

• Marker 1: there will always be roadblocks. some call it constraints, others call it opportunity - these are two sides of the same coin .. depends on you on how you want to see it .. how do you react to it .. For instance, tackling a difficult subject in college may initially seem like a roadblock, but by embracing the challenge and seeking additional resources or study groups, you can turn it into an opportunity to expand your knowledge and develop valuable skills.
• Marker 2: seeing something .. it is only your perspective not the complete truth .. sometimes changing perspectives or view point can open doors .. Oftentimes, we get so fixated on our own perspective that we fail to see alternative solutions or possibilities. Take, for instance, a group project where everyone has a different opinion. Instead of getting stuck in a deadlock, try changing your perspective by actively listening to others, understanding their viewpoints, and finding common ground. This openness can lead to creative solutions and stronger collaboration.
• Marker 3: more often we don’t want to change our perspective because of fear .. fear that is solely created by us in our minds .. fear often holds us back from taking risks or exploring new opportunities
• Marker 4: fear is more often induced by thoughts of failure .. failure is simply, part of the journey .. expect it, embrace it, brush it off .. don’t ever be surprised by it ..

And in conclusion ..

• Marker 5: know yourself .. your strengths .. your weakness .. Knowing yourself is crucial in navigating college and beyond .. define your path .. don’t let your values, your success, or your greatness be determined by other people ..

You will hear many say .. work hard, work smart, work for your self .. buy a house .. save for retirement .. live for today ..

These days everyone has an opinion and can pull examples to support it .. you will find anything if you look for it .. everyone has an advice to offer including me .. Pause .. take a deep breath .. If you want one piece of advice .. and only one advice ..

create your own playbook .. it is your life .. unique and distinct .. read, learn from others .. but create your own .. be responsible for your life .. don’t blame anyone including fate, luck, god .. don’t search for excuses .. search for solutions .. Imagine receiving conflicting advice from friends, family, or mentors regarding your future plans. While it's important to seek guidance and learn from others' experiences, ultimately, it's essential to create your own playbook. For example, you may find inspiration from successful individuals in your field of interest, but adapting their strategies to fit your unique circumstances and aspirations is what will truly set you on your own path to success.

.. and closing with an excerpt from one of my poem

Enjoy the whiteness of the day and colors of the night
Feel the moment with no inhibition
You should realize now, you will never see this day again
As you march ahead on this one way street

In closing, The future is yours to make or decide - You and only you are responsible to make the choice, to take the chance, for any change to happen .. or someone else will decide for you ..