Timelines

Everyone seems to have a predetermined universal timeline: drive at 16, go to college and graduate by 22, start a family by 30, etc. People are afraid to fall behind in our fast-paced world.

Well, I'm here to tell you our timelines are BS. First of all, people have different strengths. As Albert Einstein said, "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

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Late bloomers are underrated. As Mulan's father expressed, “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” One thing I love about the movie Mulan is how is demonstrates a growth mindset. Throughout the song "I'll Make a Man Out of You," we see Mulan struggling with the training; however, she is determined to succeed and works hard until she is good enough to be a soldier.

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I used to have a fixed mindset as a child and I thought that intelligence was something everyone had but more or less than each other. I was good at academic subjects and my peers noticed that. When I was in high school, however, I realized intelligence was the result of hard work. More importantly, I learned everyone has different strengths and motivations. I tried several things, such as AP/Honors classes, sports, and Dungeons and Dragons. I have no regrets, even if I wasn't always satisfied with my results. I'm happy I tried new things. I also realized any effort you put in, even if in vain, is not wasted.

I had a set timeline for my life too, but I'm glad that didn't work out. If it had, I wouldn't have the wonderful life I have today. Don't have a rigid plan for your life. Instead, said in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, "Listen to the music and let your mind go."

Additionally, click here for a video about how everyone has their own "clock," first shown to me by my wonderful mother.