A Prewritten Life

08-08-2025

My duties began at birth.

At birth, I was assigned two tasks—unusual for someone just minutes old. My foot was inked to serve as a signature, and pictures were taken. One check purchased needed supplies for my family’s business, and another secured a life insurance policy in my name. The moment was immortalized in corporate magazines. I had arrived—and apparently, so had my responsibilities. For me, at least, the message seemed clear from the start: my life was prewritten.

Expectations shaped how I lived.

Although others saw charm in those stories, I felt their weight from the start. I wasn’t just a child—I was part of a legacy. I was part of the third generation. Duty came before identity. I moved through life under a shadow of expectation. For decades, I didn’t realize I had a choice or that my choice mattered. Eventually, I began to understand that living someone else’s plan doesn’t guarantee fulfillment. It was only after my father’s death that I allowed myself to question and finally rewrite my narrative.

Planning became a coping tool.

I’ve always been a planner, but not a worrier. At some point, I stopped worrying about the small things. I came to the realization early on that 99% of most things are small things and, in the scheme of life, they are not worth worrying about. That realization settled deep in my soul. I learned to plan with calm intention, not anxious control. Being prepared somehow helped me breathe easier and live more freely. Oddly enough, the less I clung to outcomes, the better things flowed.

Each day holds new meaning.

These days, I try to make every day matter. I do not take for granted that tomorrow isn’t promised, and I don’t want to leave anything unsaid. I no longer wait for the big moments. The small things—an email, the helpful text—those add up to a meaningful life. Every day, I resist the urge to postpone purpose. I strive to not only help myself but also focus my energy on others.

Purpose isn’t handed down.

No policy or photograph could define who I am. It took time, but I eventually realized I didn’t need to carry inherited roles. Although my life began with a predefined plan and path, I’m finally writing the closing chapters on my own life, and I can honestly say I have finally broken free from my past.

I now own the plan.

The freedom to live life by my design was worth it, but it comes with many deep wounds that continue to heal. Yet I am reminded that we are all broken in some way; some hide it better than others.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me. Additionally, please explore the rest of my blog and website to see if any of this information can be helpful to you.

To learn more, visit the blog life, reflection, and faith.