As the school year comes to a close, it offers professionals like me an opportunity to interact with some of the students in the local school districts. This is one of my favorite things.
Six years ago, when I first opened the , my chiropractic office, for the first time in my life, I was suddenly considered a "local professional". Being right out of school and never having a "tag" like that before, reality hit me and I was excited. I made this "I am a local professional" realization when I received a letter in the mail asking me to "As a local professional, we invite you to be a guest evaluator for the senior exit presentations at the ." Who? Me? I actually earned the right to do something like that? I jumped on this opportunity and signed up for a shift during one of my lunch periods. In case you do not know what the senior exit presentations are, as part of their graduation requirements, and after years of work, each senior has to present the following topic - "Who am I? Where am I going? How am I going to get there?". I walked in for my scheduled shift without any expectations and walked out of there blown away!!! These young adults had spent countless hours of introspection, multiple days of investigation and have been able to further their careers even before beginning them by volunteering their time to causes they believe in. I remember graduating from Fenton High School knowing that I wanted to go to Michigan State University and on blind faith that I would figure it out along the way and I had no idea what I really believed in.
The only constant in this world is change and it is interesting to see how things change. Children have changed from when I was a child and I know that the generation ahead of me said the same exact thing, as did the generation before them. During the evaluations, I am given an opportunity to ask the presenters questions and make comments or suggestions which I take advantage when necessary. The only real advice I could possibly offer someone in that position is the same that I would offer just about any human being:
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Things change. Life changes. When we think we are heading in the "right" direction, something happens and we head in a completely different direction that evolves into the new "right direction". Life is amazing like that. So just keep putting one foot in front of the other and focus on fulfilling your wildest dream because anything is possible. Oh...and keep a smile on your face.
Great job SENIORS!!! Keep reaching for the stars!!! ...and thanks for inviting me.
