I have been working in this particular clinic that treats cancers of the blood such as lymphomas, leukemia, and myeloma for a while now. People dye of cancer everyday, but never did it become real to me until I started working in this clinic. I got this job right out of college. Before graduating college, I had this fairy tale dream about what adult life would be like. I thought I would instantly be rich, everyone would be nice and I would always have it my way all because I had a bachelor’s degree. I am glad I started my adult life with this job because the one thing it has taught me is patience. But patience isn’t the only virtue I have learned while at this clinic. Recently, I came to a striking realization when one of the patients passed away suddenly. I realized that if you are passionate about something then pursue it now. Don’t put off something for tomorrow if it can be done today, because tomorrow is not promised to anyone. What better time to pursue your passion than today?

Some patients that come into the clinic suddenly have a disease that’s out of the blue and aggressively takes control of their body within weeks sometimes days. I ask the nurses and doctors “What causes this?” “Is there something you have to do to get this?” They say no it’s something that just happens. Then I research about it and there’s no concrete explanation except random gene mutations. Essentially, it can happen to anyone without notice.

The patient previously mentioned was a young guy, about my age— 20 something, and was a real hipster. He always wore the latest fashion and could’ve been mistaken for a basketball celebrity because he was so tall. He probably never thought such a threat was lurking around the corner. I thought to myself, if I were in his shoes I would be so sad to have died and known I never attempted to follow my dreams because I was scared.

All through school, I was told my journalism major would get me no where because there are no jobs in journalism and if you do happen to get a job you’d be very poor. I believed those naysayers and decided to change my major to something more versatile—Communication Studies. I regret this decision. However, I am glad I chose to stay in the communication field. Regardless, I still tried to pursue fields that were deemed “more lucrative” like the medical field. I knew the medical field wasn’t my passion. But I kept trying to ignore it and even enrolled in classes. However, in the middle of the semester I couldn’t bear the burden it was causing me with my time and my lack of motivation. One day I thought to myself, “I can’t let money block me from what I want. More so, I can’t let my fear block me. So I gave myself some time to plan how I would achieve my dream and was thankful to God for allowing me to have a dream and be able to pursue it

In the end, following dreams are worth the hassle. What worse can happen? Failure? So what then, just start over. Lupita Nyongo recited a quote in a recent speech she gave at the Massachusetts Women’s Conference 2014 in Boston, she said, “Without the possibility of being bad, you will never be extraordinary.” So without trying or taking risks how can you ever do anything. You’ll just be living for others instead of living for you. Life is too short for that (obviously).

I am encouraging anyone who has a dream to chase it NOW! Pursue it without avail! Never let anyone steal your dream from you. You dreamt it, it’s yours!

Yours truly,

Ashley R. Alexander