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(Junior)

It's really irritating, to be honest. I must admit that this, of all things, isn't a situation that is as irritating as the end of all things as we know it, but it's irritating nonetheless. When I receive praise, I'd rather be there to hear it for myself, rather than have a voice tell me about it. The voice told me that an English class was discussing about me and my changed ways, after my choice to relive an alternate path. They live in a far off, warm, and wondrous land of Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

You see, that was a joke. Ohio, from what I've been told, is a very...Nevermind, it doesn't matter.

That was another joke. Man, I am on a f***ing roll.

But seriously, that's beside the point. The voice informed me of a particular quote made by John Shoemaker, which caused me to chuckle for quite some time. "So by stepping on a bee, we just killed Thomas's doctor career." I laughed at this, simply because of how right and wrong it is. That's not possible, you say? Well, I've got to correct you there, because anything, anything, anything is possible. While it's true that such a seemingly insignificant moment could impact his life (and possibly his career), I believe he could still become a doctor. Every action affects our future, so taking an initiative can greatly improve one's chances at a happier life. Some may say, "It doesn't matter if I...die out here," as I once believed, but I am happy to report that it is a completely invalid statement. "I always expected the worst and because life has never, not once, taught me anything different," I thought that I had no control over my own life.

The fact is, we do have control. Compelte and utter control. At one point, I distinctly remember berating people for not accepting my original plan for salvation: "'Idiots...Dangle salvation right in front of them, and they won't take it.'" I realize that this is wrong, because it is the experience of our actions that makes life worth living, not simply living for the sake of living.

I suppose what I am trying to say, is that Thomas Donley still has a chance to become a doctor if he wants. The decision is his and his alone. If he eventually decides to change his mind, then anything else he does will have just as much importance. Whether it's a janitor or heart surgeon, every single person and every single action matters.