My thoughts as a high school student

I feel like I'm behind for my age.

I know I can accomplish more than what I'm doing, but I just haven't been pushing myself to be better. I know I can be.

My best friend really pushed me to be better, smarter, and to not waste my time having fun over bettering myself and my future.

He always told me, “You have to miss out on some fun to better yourself.” He said he missed out on a lot of fun, but it was worth it.

But then I lost my best friend. I guess after his passing I haven’t been really on bettering myself. He was the one motivating me to be successful, but I can't let his passing stop me.

I don't wanna disappoint him; I know he's watching over me. I know I am ahead of so many people my age; I see people my age just wanna have fun and party, but then me–I just focus on my future because I wanna buy my mom a house one day and help everyone around me elevate their lives and careers. I wanna make my family and best friend proud.

I just know I'm going to be successful regardless.

I wanna be my own boss. I don't wanna be an employee my whole life. Some people do.

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with working a 9 to 5; we need that type of worker; those are strong people. Without them, much wouldn't be possible.

I appreciate those people. It’s just up to you if you wanna chase your dreams and make them a reality. And that is what I wanna do.

I don’t wanna die regretting anything. Life is too short. But I couldn't do it without the knowledge I’ve been given by my best friend.

Like the saying goes: You are as successful as the people you hang around. So just try to surround yourself with successful people because they can give you the knowledge they have been given.

School doesn’t really teach you how to be successful; you kinda really got to find that out on your own.

But I know what I have to do to get where I wanna be in life, and not a lot of people can say that. At the same time, I know that money can't always be the main focus.

But it has its benefits, and that’s a man’s job to take care of his mom.

My mom sacrificed so much for me and my siblings; I feel like she deserves the world, and I want to give her.