Jackson Free Press

College is a blast, and then you graduate. At that point, what path should you take? Obtaining more education is the safe path and the one that I chose. In retrospect, however, I find that following your passion is the only route to fulfillment.

After earning my bachelor of science degree, I desired more. In my view, it was as minute as my high school diploma. It would take me nowhere. I needed more education.

I entered graduate school. I had a great time. Life was good. Two years later, I graduated. Dissatisfaction lingered. I was still unfilled. Now I thought a master's degree would take me nowhere. So I entered law school. During orientation, one speaker labeled us as "the upper 1 percent." Finally, I had arrived. I was in "the upper 1 percent." Finally, I would be fulfilled.

Today, I am a lawyer. I am still not fulfilled.

I enjoyed law school. It offered me a much-needed challenge and allowed me time to grow. Not until I completed law school was I ready to enter adulthood. Conversely, it also offered the gullible country girl that I used to be many rude awakenings: All the myths I believed about lawyers regarding their earnings and intellect were debunked by my third year. All lawyers are not wealthy, and not all are brilliant beautiful minds.

On the other hand, in my experience, the myth regarding many of them lacking decency is true. As one old, wise lawyer recently told me, "There are a lot of dirty lawyers." Despite this new reality, I was still excited to pass the bar exam and enter the profession. I can be a successful lawyer and not be like them, I thought. I can still be fulfilled. Accordingly, I secretly prayed the same prayer every night: "Lord, help me pass the bar, and help me be a lawyer that works for you."

Admittedly, I am no angel. Knowing that I would not be fulfilled, I still applied for jobs that I thought would be the most financially profitable. I was still willing to be the Queen of Torts. However, God surely heard my prayer. I immediately passed the bar exam, and I have only been offered job opportunities that I think make Him smile. I have repeatedly been put in places where I can help people; yet, regrettably, I am still not fulfilled. I still need more. Perhaps, more education was not the right path after all, as I have gone as far as I can go in that regard.

Recently, I developed new hobbies and got reacquainted with old ones, particularly in the area of sports. I recently became a volunteer basketball coach and started participating in local 5Ks. Further, one of my most favorite things to do in this world is to attend sporting events. Obviously, I have a passion for sports and physical activity, but as a young college student, I never considered working in these areas. Perhaps I did not know myself, or maybe these areas were not special enough. My naiveté ran amuck.

Instead of traveling the safe route, I should have taken a moment to consider my passions. Fortunately, the law is vast, and I am still young. I expect many opportunities in the future that will fulfill me. On the other hand, to all young graduates, consider your passions, and do not be afraid to travel down that road. In turn, fulfillment will be yours.