During the course of my career as an instructor, high school administrator, and elected official, I have been asked to write letters of recommendation for individuals seeking scholarships, job placements and career advancements. While I have written these letters for individuals of all ages, many of these recommendations were written for those seeking scholarships, entrance into a college or graduate school of for individuals seeking their first career position. While I don’t keep a record of how or if my letter assisted them, I have always received thank you letters indicating how my letter impacted the outcome.
I received a request last weekend from a young woman, early twenties, seeking a scholarship within the Miss Illinois Pageant. She has been a participant in this program for a number of years, and her participation has allowed her to complete her undergraduate education as a scholarship participant. I first met her at last year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony for the Darien Historical Society, and in the intervening period, I have assisted her in her continued participation in service activities within the Darien Community. I was honored by her request to write a letter on her behalf; she is a young woman who is committed to scholarship and she desires to improve the world around her thus setting herself apart from young leaders of her generation. In a world where so many young, and not so young individuals consciously or unconsciously isolate themselves from the world around them, she looks for opportunities to “break her shell,” and to look for ways to grow as a person, to develop a “social conscience,” which in many respects is rare for a young person of her generation. She is a young woman seeking to leave a legacy for the next generation of leaders as she works to secure the success of future generations.
As I composed her letter of recommendation, I realized how easy it is to discuss the attributes of those who are willing to step outside their “comfort zones,” as they seek to explore a new challenge. As Arigo notes, “The hardest thing to do is leaving your comfort zone. But you have to let go of the life you’re familiar with and take the risk to live the life you dream about.” This young woman, rather than taking an easier path, chose to follow her dreams, not always knowing what impact that would have on her life. I believe she has found out that choosing a path that is a little more uncertain, in search of a dream has been the right path for her. My letter of recommendation clearly notes her courage and commitment to a life-long dream; it was one of the easiest recommendations I have ever written for anyone.
Take a moment, and go look in a mirror; is there a dream out there that you have always wished to pursue? Maybe the life you have is comfortable just the way it is, but don’t negate your dreams, as you answer the question, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?”