My True Calling--Eric

 

Upon entering highschool I was certain that I wanted to pursue the medical field.

However it was out of fear rather than genuine passion.

My entire life leading up to this point I felt the immense pressure to make something of

myself. Once my parents divorced, nothing ever went my mother’s way. Time and time again

obstacles kept coming. It was almost as if someone was watching and rooting for her downfall.

When she finally took it upon herself to get a higher education and graduate, she was rejected

from every job opportunity. It was alcohol on an open wound. It was like evil was laughing at her

telling her she could never be successful. I felt like the dreams of her escaping financial struggle

became delusions. Heartbroken, I wanted to avoid this. I felt like the only option was the

high-demand medical field where a job would always be ensured.

However, time would tell that different interests would suit me.

Beginning on the first day of my Sophomore year, I entered room A1 confidently. I looked

up at the board and found my assigned seat. I attentively listened to my teacher and was quick

to make assumptions on the course. He explained how an A in this class would be considered

an 87.5%. “How easy” I thought.

It wasn’t easy. At least for me.

That year was the first time I had ever struggled in school. Despite my best efforts, I was

on ice skates slowly slipping behind everyone in my class. Everyday was just me glaring at a

white board that seemingly had writing in a foreign language. For the first time I felt like I was

no longer smart, and my self-esteem became increasingly low.

So, as I stared at my report card fixating on “C” for Honors Chemistry, I began to

question my career path. I knew that Chemistry was essential to the medical field, yet I was

more pathetic than a pig trying to fly. If I was already in frustration now, how would I ever

navigate college as a pre-med major with professors who more than likely could care less about

my success.

From then on I knew this was not me. This is not what I was good at. This is not what I

loved. This was the fake dream I had created for myself. The dream I gaslit myself constantly

into wanting. The dream that would impress people when I spoke about it. The dream that

would make my parents proud. It was a dream I could never be happy with.

This dream was rooted in the financial situations my mother and I endured. I was the

hope for my family. That this chain of financial burden would be broken with me. That my

grandparents immigrating to America with their last dollars would not have been for nothing.

But, I wouldn’t let them down I thought. I did my research. I realized that all of the world’s

richest men and women work for themselves without Uncle Sam collecting their money like the

rest of us. If there is something I love more than anything it is my autonomy. Doing things out of

my free will. I could never imagine being tied down to a job for the rest of my life. Working hours

a day for years until I am 65 and too tired to live my life. Even worse being a doctor. I posed so

many questions to myself. Do I really want to sacrifice my youth for worries about studies? Do I

want to trade off my precious time for a paycheck? Do I want to accumulate student debt as

costly as a house? Do I want to worry about being called into work when I am relaxing at

home? The answer is no to all of these. While I do appreciate medical professionals who do

this, I know in my heart that this wasn’t what I was meant for. You really have to love what you

do, because is money really worth being miserable? While working, many people will put money

into retirement so that eventually they could live their lives happily and vacation. But why wait?

What if I get in a car accident and die before then? Living in the moment is more important than

we think, I thought to myself. The sooner I learn the ropes of our economy and become a

financial expert, the sooner I can make decisions that could set me up with passive income. The

more passive income, the more freedom I can have for myself.

Although this single high school course contributed to a lot of discomfort and stress

during my sophomore year, it was the wake up call that I needed. We all are blessed with

different gifts and all have different desires. While I may not be good at Chemistry, I naturally

excel in mathematics and have a burning interest to learn more about finance and investments.

In my opinion nothing is more bound for success than an innate ability coupled with hard work

and intense determination.