The parade of life, however, is very different. In the parade of life, each one of us has our own private drummer. Each of us walks to our own private drumbeat and follows our own path. Each of us is unique. Each of us creates and develops our own drumbeat as we go forward. As we evolve our drumbeat evolves. When we were children, others determined the taps in our drumbeat. Family, friends, society and government all had a hand in the music that directed our steps. In the process of maturing, we develop and redevelop our own drumbeat, until we have our own private drummer.

Sometimes, going forward on our own path gives us feelings of uncertainty, loneliness and anxiety. This is normal. We can quickly convert this fear of the unknown to a strength. To do this, we must encompass it with a positive attitude and self-confidence. Each of us is different, so we each must face the future in our own particular way. Each of us has unmatched and special talents that are not duplicated by anyone else. Each of us has experienced different upbringings and backgrounds. Each of us has endured different challenges and unique life shaping events.

During our lives, we each face particular and sometimes complicated choices. There is no need to fear the situations that force us to make choices. When making a choice, we must follow our own beliefs and do what we believe in our hearts to be the best. This choice should include consideration for the feelings of others. When we purposely do things to hurt other people, we compromise and self out our personal integrity, self-esteem and self worth.

The path you are taking in life is different from the ones others choose to follow. Yours is a road where others have not ventured. This is partly out of your choice and partly out of the circumstances you encounter. It is possible some people will try to discourage you. They may attempt to limit you because they do not view life as you do. They prefer to conform to some artificial norms of a past age or they may have limited views of life. Some parents and family members may fear for your safety and push you to live a more secure existence. They often have good intentions and may want to protect you. However, in truth, they do not fully understand you. They do not fully understand your personal world and the path you are now following. In addition, they do not understand or comprehend the changing world that awaits you as you follow your personal path.

True, there are uncertainties in your future. And yes, there are possible dangers. For these reasons, it is wise to be sensible. At the same time, it is unwise to stand still and limit yourself. Standing still does not ensure you will have a better life. People who stand still and who do not create their own opportunities create their own limits. They hold themselves back as the rest of the world moves forward. We never know our limits until we test them and expand them, again and again and again. Limits are often self imposed. People who never test their limits are tragic people who never live a full life. Personally, I believe there is nothing sadder in the world than people who conform to the crowd and choose not to follow their own dreams. These people live shallow, meaningless, fruitless lives. They live their whole lives with regrets, unfulfilled dreams and wondering "What if I had...?"

Robert Frost, the famous American poet captured the joy and adventure of living your own life in your own way with his poem, The Road Less Traveled. If you have not read it yet, I hope you enjoy it.

You are in pursuit of your dreams. You are writing your own destiny. Your personal path is taking shape as you read these lines. I encourage you to go forward on the path you are choosing for yourself. When and whether your path and mine cross again, depends upon us. Best wishes you as you go forward on your path to the future.