When I was growing up, I had two goals – to become a writer and to live in Japan. Determined to reach those goals, when I graduated high school I took the necessary steps to achieve those dreams. Countless people told me to give up – that going to Japan was crazy and that I would never be able to make a living writing. So what happened? Well, I didn’t let what they said get to me. I strove ceaselessly towards my goals and ended up living in Japan for a year and a half. Now, I am making a living as a writer.

I have had several friends tell me that they wanted to go into the arts, or that they wanted to pursue a certain trade, but that their friends and family didn’t approve of their goals.

After months of being pressured by their loved ones, many of those friends gave up on their dreams and decided to pursue the career others wanted for them. While most of those people have found peace with their career choices, they still talk fondly of their youthful goals.

At times I wonder if when they sigh, they think to themselves, “What if?”

As the end of another school year draws near and graduating seniors make plans for the rest of their lives, many of those young people will have several options. Some will go to college, others to trade school, and still others will pursue something where they can learn as they go.

Deciding to follow a passion or goal can be intimidating. Sometimes taking a risk is required to turn an idealistic career into a reality.

Things will undoubtedly go wrong, and countless mistakes will be made along the way, but it is important to remember that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.