To youths: take risks and never limit yourself
I write this letter as a youth myself and as the Country Representative to the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN), to convey and ncultivate a message of upliftment and inspiration to youths across our country on the commencement of a new year.
Fellow young people, as we embark upon a fresh collection of twelve months, it can be cliche to hear about setting new goals and to get the wind in your sails to pursue new opportunities.
However, I believe the start of a new year gives us an opportunity to evaluate our lives’ priorities, visions and goals so that we can focus on our growth and development. Unlike many preceding years, there is an abundance of opportunities that are available to us as young people especially as our country experiences massive transformations and expansions.
Needless to say, that the world itself is beaming with technological innovations and the job market is seeking a vibrant and passionate workforce.
Therefore, I write to encourage us, yes, myself included, to take risks and never limit yourself in terms of what you are capable of doing. I would say, if you are passionate and enthusiastic about something, go for it even if it might appear half-witted to others. You will never grow by accepting and conforming to the status quo of what life gives you. Hence, you have to go out and make life happens.
Thus, you learn as you keep moving. As young people, especially those who may come from various tumultuous backgrounds and may not have the necessary resources and support to move towards your aspirations, I would say, “do not hold yourself back.” Develop a plan by writing what you would like to achieve and connect with the right people. At the same time, be cautious that you don’t have to tell beveryone what you are doing.
More importantly, as scared and uncertain as your steps may look, go for it whether it is to find a new job, start your studies, learn a new set of skills, move to another country, create a business, etc. In life, no one will give anything to you. Therefore, you must actively strive for the life that you want.
Further, for some youths, you will have to let go of some distractions this year if you want to move in the direction of your dreams and aspirations. You will have to ignore nthe naysayers. Nevertheless, the importance of underscoring that you may have to letsome friends and close people go cannot be emphasized enough. There are many skillful and ambitious youths who are tied to relationships and cannot fiercely trail after their hearts intent. Do not wait for someone to present an opportunity to you.
Take the first step to relentlessly walk into a new stage of your life and the doors will begin to open as you continue to walk. In like manner, there are countless of opportunities to develop oneself academically, professionally and technically more than all the years put together. Don’t let the opportunities that are before you go to waste. Abstain from the things that can seem appealing that may throw you off of your tracks. If you stumble and fall, keep going.
Set your sails and aim towards the horizon. There is nothing that you cannot do and nothing that you cannot achieve if you are determined enough to have it. Do not let anyone stifle your growth. Focus on your goals and visions.
Besides, as young individuals, if you do not know who you are and what you want, people may push you into who they think you should be. Some will even judge how far you can go and cannot go because of your past and stories of inadequacies. Further, some of you reading this letter would have been burning with a fire to take an mapproach to make yourself proud but you have been restraining yourselves. As such, let these thoughts be a reminder that the world waits for what you can bring to the table but it will not wait forever. Do not let your fears and doubts keep you from reaching your fullest potential.
Finally, drugs, sex, party, violence, etc will not matter when you are preoccupied by your goals and visions. This is your year to shine. Start, that is all it takes and this is the hardest part. However, along your path the wind may get somewhat boisterous but that does not mean that you are doing something wrong or should quit. You must expect these struggles as you pave the way forward. So young people, break the traditions and aim high. Hold onto your values and faith as these are the things that will guard you as you continue to rise. Wishing you a year of success in every decision that you will take and action that you will make.