22 with not a clue what to do

Sam Graska
Jul 27, 2017 · 4 min read

Jeremiah 29:11- “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

You ever just think about life wherever you are and just exhale (very deeply) and contemplate life? I find myself asking questions like how did I get here? Where will I go? Will I be okay? How do I make money? How do I chase my dreams to do what I love? What do I love? Ya know those next level of depth personal questions that you ask yourself after every graduation, every job you leave, every relationship that ends, and again when you hit 50 and you’re balding (dear God please not me). IT’S FRUSTRATING AS IT GETS. It’s even harder when people think you have it all together, where your accomplishments out weigh your current position, and thanks to the digital age everything is documented for your present-self to be constantly trying to live up to and surpass your past-self.

But that is what it’s all about. Working everyday to get better, to be better, to grow as a person. You may think you peaked in high school or college or your last job, but the only person that determines that is yourself. You were designed to be everything that you can be, to reach maximum potential. And that true peak of who you are to be is different for everyone, so don’t you ever dare to compare yourself. You’re just as unique as that fingerprint on your thumb that you’re probably using to scroll through this. Convincing yourself of all that isn’t easy though, actually it can be one of the hardest things to do.

“Sounds like I still have it together? Not even close.”

For instance, take a gander at my life. I am a 22 year old 1st generation college graduate (not by choice, my pops is one smart cookie who was stripped of his chance at higher education) who was a past Student Body President for the third largest university in Ohio, a CEO of his own start-up, and honestly lost as it gets. I have a bachelors of science degree in Cellular Molecular Biology, yes it is as crazy as it sounds, and as much as I love science I love people more. I crave that interaction and constant “what’s next?” you get when you work to better the people around you whether its service, advocacy, management, or administration. Doesn’t sound much like your typical lab-rat science nerd (though I totally still am just to an extent). This mix of loves, science and people, really got me twisted up and as a result am a very unemployed college graduate who is very hopefully waiting on an acceptance letter into an MBA program. Sounds like I still have it together? Not even close. Every day I ask myself all those deep questions, and I live in constant curiosity of where I might go and what I might do, I worry, I stress, I overthink, but at the end of the day I know that I will be okay. A little bit of all those feelings are healthy, they keep you on task, they keep you involved, and they keep you moving forward and motivated..but be careful because too much of those feelings and you can begin losing yourself to doubt and pity and low self esteem and everything else that just isn’t you. If you’ve never experienced that, take it from a guy who has. Like I said it’s not easy to convince yourself that everything will be okay, but you have to have faith in yourself, just enough, and you will know at the end of the day that everything will be okay.

“We can, and with faith, we will.”

Faith in yourself leads to strength, strength to confidence, confidence to passion, and passion to that oh so coveted pursuit of happiness. We can, and with faith, we will. Even when, and especially when it doesn’t feel like it. Life is this big crazy journey, and it needs lived. Wherever that journey may take you, never regret it, going through it is just a part of getting there. All of the ups and downs, the what if’s, the small starts, the crap jobs and the amazing jobs, it all adds up and ends up in a place where, as long as you keep that faith in yourself, you can find happiness and you will figure it out. We all deserve that happiness, so don’t limit yourself because you were afraid to get out of your comfort zone, or because you were afraid to ask yourself those deep questions (don’t focus on them too long though!), or because you were unwilling to have faith in yourself. If you have to start at the bottom to get to where you want, do it, just make sure it’s apart of an organization you believe in. When you believe in an organization that you work for, no task seems too small.

S/o to all those recent grads (high school or college) out there! You did it! And whether you use your degree exactly as you received it or not, it doesn’t matter, do what you love. You’ll get there, I’ll get there, we will all get there I promise.

You can, and with faith, you will. I can, and with faith, I will.

ps. don’t forget to smile, it makes everything better.

Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Sam Graska
Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade