Choosing Light: Why Helping People Will Always Be My Purpose
Why Helping People Matters to Me
Anytime I run into someone and the conversation turns to what my degree is in, what I want to do with it, or what direction I’m moving in, I always circle back to the same thing:
I want to help people.
I want to be part of the reason someone’s day gets better. I want people to walk away thinking, “man, she helped put me in a gapped mood” or “Goodness, why is she in such a good mood,” so hopefully that rubs off on them.
I think that’s why I naturally gravitate toward kids. Their energy is pure. Their honesty is unmatched. Their joy isn’t forced or performed; it just is. They don’t hold grudges, they don’t pretend, they don’t overcomplicate who they are. They just want to be understood, say how they feel, and see the good in everyone.
And honestly?
I relate to that more than anything.
There’s a part of me that’s still like this; treating people the way I want to be treated, still hoping they mean well, still choosing to look at life like there’s more good in the world than bad, even when it’s hard. Even after everything I’ve been through, that soft, hopeful part of me is still there. And honestly? It’s both one of my best and worst qualities. I love that about myself, but it also means I end up disappointed… a lot.
What Kids Teach Me About Resilience
Kids remind me of the version of me that existed before I learned that people aren’t always good, don’t always treat others how they want to be treated, and don’t always have the best intentions. They take me back to the version of myself that laughed easily, trusted quickly, cared loudly, and believed in what the world could be — the version that could bounce back from disappointment without turning cynical.
I’ve always carried a bit of that same outlook. A childlike part of me still believes people are inherently good, that silver linings exist even in the messiest situations, and that optimism isn’t naïve. It’s what keeps me from letting negativity take over or falling into a victim mentality.
Their resilience isn’t about avoiding hurt; it’s in how they recover with curiosity, honesty, and an optimism adults tend to lose and honestly, it makes me a little jealous. Being around them makes me want to protect that part of myself that still chooses to see the good, even when life doesn’t always give me a real reason to. Because I do hold onto things. I replay them, I analyze them, and I try to find a logical answer so my brain can make sense of it; even when there isn’t one to find..
Energy is contagious; in both directions.
So I try to choose the version that will lift others up over dragging them down.
The Dream I Let Go Of… and the Truth Behind Why
When I was younger, I wanted to be a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. That was the dream; tiny casts covered in doodles, scared kids turning into brave kids, worried parents turning into relieved ones. I could see myself in that world so clearly because I wanted to be part of the reason their days became better.
And if we’re being real?
I probably could’ve done it.
But the truth is, the roadblocks I created for myself, scared me.
Not life.
Not bad luck.
Me.
I doubted myself. I talked myself out of opportunities before they even began. I let my own internal battles convince me that I didn’t deserve to chase something that big. And slowly, quietly, I let the dream fade out. Not because it was impossible but because I didn’t believe in myself enough to go after it.
How My Purpose Evolved Into Medicine, Sports, or Law
If I don’t land something in sports soon and trust me, I’m still pushing for it, I’ve genuinely considered going back to school to become a PA specifically so I can work in pediatrics. Because kids? Kids are just the best. Their outlook on life is unmatched. Their ability to bounce back, trust, and keep their hearts and minds open is something adults forget how to do.
I want to be part of that world.
I want to help strengthen that spirit, not dim it.
Maybe I won’t be the surgeon I once imagined.
Maybe the version of that dream that fits who I am now looks like being a PA.
Maybe everything I went through all the detours, all the “you messed this up” moments weren’t failures, but lessons I’ll use to help kids in ways I couldn’t have years ago.
Whatever I choose to do, I know this much:
It will be something where I can help people.
Whether it’s through medicine, being an attorney, working in sports, or simply making someone’s day a little bit better, that’s the one constant I know won’t change. And honestly, the attorney path makes sense as well; not because I ever pictured myself in a courtroom arguing my point, but because I’ve always been someone who speaks up when something isn’t right. I advocate for people even when I don’t mean to. I defend people I care about without thinking twice. I want systems to work the way they’re supposed to, especially for the people who don’t know how to navigate them or are too overwhelmed to fight for themselves.
At the end of the day, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do:
help, advocate, protect, and make life a little easier for someone else.
The Truth at the Center of It All
The career path might change.
The title might change.
The setting might change.
But the core of who I am won’t:
I’m someone who wants to make things better; for one person, for many, or for everyone I cross paths with.
It’s not a job description.
It’s who I am.
And no matter where I end up: sports, medicine, law, or something I haven’t even considered yet I know I’ll choose the path that lets me do exactly that.
