Living your own life
QUESTION: Masters, I’m 20 years old spiritual young woman and I want to follow my heart and dreams. My heart desires to see the world, perhaps study abroad. I have already started on my journey toward my dreams. Right now my parents, especially my mother’s bad attitude, holds me back. My question is: Can I really do whatever I want with my life even if it really shocks my parents and other people around me as well? I feel enthusiasm to start my own life but at the same time I feel sad because no one in my family will support me. Could you please help me? ~Heli, Finland
ANSWER: This is your life. It is not your parents’, your friends’, or society’s. You have been looking to others for an indication as to what you should be doing with your life. They have been telling you what they think is right, but they are not in your body so they do not know how you are feeling or what your desires entail. Part of the maturation process is making your own decisions and being responsible for the outcome.
If you truly want to create your own life, then just do it. Understand that following your dreams may create a rift for a time between you and your parents. It is also possible that they will not fund any adventure in which they do not believe, so you will have to find a way to pay for everything yourself.
Your mother is jealous that you may be going to have experiences that she always wanted. Don’t let her unfulfilled dreams become yours. If you want to study abroad, start looking for scholarships available in subjects that interest you. If you present a completed plan to your parents, they will understand that you are serious about your future. This may or may not sway them to approve your plans.
Every soul has freedom of choice, and that is part of the life lessons you chose before coming. It is time to decide if you believe in yourself or if you still want to be directed by those who have different agendas from yours. Nothing is right or wrong; you will learn from whatever choice you make.