I’m the type of person that always has multiple things running through her brain, and too often I forget that I’m still so young, my life has barely even begun, and I don’t need to feel bad for not having it all figured out at 21. I have a job that enables me to do what I know I’m good at, what I love to do, and that’s something I can’t take for granted.

If you recall, my last column talked about the Daily Show – and if you’re also a viewer, you know this is John Stewart’s last year with the network. It makes me sad to know he’ll be off the air soon, but there comes a time in everyone’s life when they’re ready to accept that they’ve done what they can with the time they’ve been given and move on. He’ll leave a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten, but at least he can recognize when it’s time to step down and let a new generation thrive.

An additional, fairly new show I’ve taken a liking to is the Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore; as a journalist, he asks real, hard-hitting questions that focus on 100% honest answers. Saying what you honestly think isn’t always easy, and I respect that aspect of the Nightly Show. After all, without complete truth, news or journalism become simply fiction, regardless of the degree of falsity. (Brian Williams, anyone?)

The truth is messy sometimes; it can be hurtful, confusing, complex. But it’s absolute, and it’s not possible to ignore. Many times we create our own truth by seeing what we want to see, accepting what we want to accept – however, accepting something as truth doesn’t make it real.

I used to define myself by my religion. While I agree with many of the values of Christianity, there are certain aspects in the Bible too contradictory to science and evidence for me to believe. I know there’s a good higher power in the universe, but the idea of needing to blindly believe in something you’re not completely sure of never sat right with me.

A couple years ago, a friend in Florida told me that God stands for “Good Orderly Direction.” That was the first time God was described to me in those words, and it gave me comfort, hope – I’m not exactly sure how we all got here, but nobody can truly know the answer to that question. Religion does not necessarily define a person; I am sure of my own morals and values, and what I want to do with my life.

Not everyone is going to agree with each others’ opinions or beliefs; that doesn’t mean they need to be changed to conform to one person’s idea of success. After all, we’re all entitled to our own opinion, right? And if you can’t believe in your own opinion, you’re just lying to yourself.

I’ve wasted a lot of time being unhappy, feeling like I wasn’t good enough. But I can honestly say I know what I’m capable of when I work at something, and I’ve been working very hard to get to the point that I’m at in my life. My wish is to make this world a better place for those who were made to feel inferior. I’m not sure if I can accomplish that, but staying true to myself is the first thing I need to do. If I don’t forget why I’m still here and what gave me hope when it felt like there wasn’t any, I can make it through anything. The rest will fall into place eventually.

I know it’s been a while since my last column. But I’ve got my motivation back, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to read this; your time is invaluable to me. Until next week, readers, wishing everyone health and happiness.