Six Word Memoirs on Life Stories

ba_miracle says,

Walk it. Don't try too hard to choose and you may find you are already on the right one.

unknown116 says,

I'm definitely not on the right path...it's hard to move on when you don't know where to go.

ba_miracle says,

is this about career or love or ? If it is about love that is hard to move on from when you were not ready to give it up (even when you had to).

Are you heading down a rough or criminal path ?

You want to know what I think is remarkable? That you are even thinking about paths at this young an age. You have already taken the first step in choosing just by asking yourself the question.

Here is some advice, even if a little platitude/bumper stickerish ;-).

Every choice you make decides your life, even when you don't make a choice you have made one.

You are already on a life path until the very end.

Many people go through life and never even ask the question. Since you are asking it seems as if you are looking for meaning or purpose?
Figure out what is important to you. Is it a career, children, money, social status or do you have a cause that speaks to you?

Sometimes it's ok to be a little lost or even very lost...just remember to change direction when you know for sure that you're heading the WRONG way.
Some people don't find a calling until later in life.
Tell us more about your dilemma. I bet many Six-WordSmiths can offer decent insight.

unknown116 says,

I want to go somewhere and create a life for myself, a life that I really want to live. But if I do that then I have to leave my family behind. Nothing illegal or morally wrong. This isn't about love or heartbreak. It's just about me. It's sad when people make you believe that wanting to follow your dreams is selfish...

MO_Thoughts2 says,

My mom wasn't happy when I decided to move away at 20 years old. I hadn't lived at home for a couple years, but live about 30 minutes away. Come to think of it, she never visited me, I always went her way. Anyhow, I moved about 3 hours away and over the next 7 years moved to 6 different cities across the Midwest and East Coast. I experienced people and cultures that I never would have if I stayed in this small town. I came back to visit 2 or 3 times a year. Eventually, I settled back in this area and had a couple kids.

You shouldn't let others hold you back. This is your time to expand and explore.

unknown116 says,

Thanks MO, that means a lot.

ba_miracle says,

I don't know that my opinion could be unbiased or even helpful on this one. I don't want to say something that sounds glib or glosses over the difficulty in your choice.

I have been fairly independent from an early age. I ran away from home for the first time (that I know of) at age 5 or 6, left my mother for foster homes at 13 and moved across country on my own several years ago.

You WILL notice when all your love is that far away.

Maybe sometimes it IS selfish to follow your dreams but no more selfish than someone holding you back from them. People who truly love you will understand. They may miss you or have concerns about what "the big wide world" will do to you. Some of those things are THEIR fears and unknowns. Unhealthy co-dependant people will try to guilt you or create circumstances that tie you there. Make your plans to venture out. The pursuit of a dream.... in itself is a worthy ideal to hold and do.

unknown116 says,

BA_M, it seems as though you understand quite well. The only difference is that you were strong enough to put yourself first. Hopefully soon that will be me.

ba_miracle says,

I wouldn't call it strength. Sometimes I was leaving a very difficult circumstance behind. There is a lot to be said for staying and making things work too (but I don't think we're having that conversation right now :-).

Do everything you can to pursue that dream.


There are so many people in life who never even try and then spend a lifetime blaming it on everyone else.

I don't think you will be one of those people.

BTW what is it that you are dreaming about? (if you care to share).
Is it a general building a life somewhere else or do you have specifics?

unknown116 says,

Well it's been my dream for a long while to be a United States Marine, but right now my first goal is just get out of this state, if only just this part. All I dreamed about as a kid was finally leaving home after high school, but I let my childhood self down. Torturing myself to be in a place that makes me miserable just to make everyone else happy.
It's hard to be parented when you grew up so fast. Honestly, if I didn't know my age, I'd just assume that I already lived a lifetime.

ba_miracle says,

Have you had a chance to speak with a recruiter? That may be a really good place to start.
Perhaps you don't need to leave the state first as having a home base you are familiar with may be beneficial when you first start out in the service.

Don't be surprised if your loved ones resist you wanting to be in the service. There are real dangers to consider, not only physical. Some of the things you will see and experience will have the potential to change you in drastic ways.
My nephew loved children when he joined and came back from Afghanistan feeling differently, with a point of view I wish he didn't have (but unfortunately understand how he came about it).

I would support my daughter if she chose to be a soldier but it would take some extremely measured effort on my part.

You may just have to put your "foot down" on this one and be the one who believes in you and begin to follow through.

You are not old enough to have let your childhood self down ;-) and you have already lived your lifetime this far.

Sometimes I feel as though I get more immature as I age...and sometimes I enjoy that about myself. I was the caretaker growing up and a protector. I still have those traits but they are not WHO I am.


Miserable people can rarely sustain happiness and you are not responsible for other peoples happiness. You will in turn have to be responsible for your own happiness as well
Get talking with the Marine recruiter. It may be the start of your dream or the discovering of new directions.

It is wide open for you right now.

unknown116 says,

I have 2 Marine recruiters. Don't worry, I've done the research with them and on my own. I love all you have to say, it's just hard. It makes me feel terrible that if someone were in my shoes I would be giving them the advice you are giving me, but my heart always gets in the way. Once I get a solid plan down I'll make my choice and be on my way.