I have this problem.

Jack Kerouac said it perfectly: “I like too many things and get all confused and hung-up running from one falling star to another till I drop."

I like too many things. Marshall laughs at me when we go anywhere because everything I see, I say, "Ooh, I love that! And I love that too!" And it doesn't just apply to shopping or art or architecture. I love everything. Except math. I love writing and reading, I love psychology, I love sociology, I love philosophy, I love religious studies, I love kickball, I love soccer, I love biking, I love hiking, I love swimming, I love art, I love music, I love photography. I love camping, I love parties, I love dressing up, I love spending the weekend in my PJ's, I love short hair, I love long hair, I love no makeup, I love makeup, I love traveling, I love staying home, I love friends, I love family, I love my boyfriend, I love security, I love being scared, I love cities, I love the country, I love the suburbs, I love movies, I love plays, I love acting, I love watching, I love being loud, I love being quiet, I love being independent, I love being waited on, I love adrenaline, I love quiet. 

I JUST LOVE EVERYTHING. And I think all this love is making me crazy. I think I know what I want to do with my life, but then, I'm just like a little kid and I wake up one day wanting to be a fairy princess or something of the like. 

I'm extremely passionate about psychology, and about wanting to work with teenagers and promote self-esteem in adolescent girls. Really. Thinking about it excites me and motivates me, and knowing I am on the path to being able to do that thrills me. I have big aspirations for this path; starting programs, meeting clients, giving talks, teaching seminars, writing books... I want to do it all.

But I also really just want to grab my camera and travel the world and take pictures for the rest of my life. I want to be a photojournalist. 

I have always loved music, and part of me always wanted a career from it, but I felt like it was expected of me more than I actually wanted to make it happen. Deep down I've always known that I wasn't cut out for the music business; I am far too shy and soft-spoken (Hard to believe, I know). 

Photography, on the other hand, has taken a grip on my heart that music never did. Being behind the lens makes me feel safe and in control, two things I like very much. I love to see things and make other people see them from my perspective; I love finding the beauty in unexpected places.

Is this going to pass, like music did? Will I be content with photography as a hobby? 

I don't think that we, as human beings, were put on the earth to make ourselves happy. That's a big part of growing and becoming a better person, but I don't think that our life goal should be, "To be happy." I've always thought that I life was measured by the way it touches the lives of others. 

So while I could be pursue a photojournalist career, I think that God just might have a bigger plan for me. I think that He put this fire into my heart for helping others so that I could go out and do it. There are lots of photojournalists who help others by raising awareness and showing people what they may not want to see, and I'm not downplaying that, I just feel that I wasn't put here for that purpose, and that my talents would be better used elsewhere. 

That doesn't mean I'm closing any doors... In fact, I'm going to give photojournalism a shot by becoming a photographer for the school newspaper next semester. Also, I started an Etsy shop to sell my photography, so please check it out if you feel so inclined.

 What do you think is more important? Pursuing your passions or using your talents to help others?  Did you ever have a dilemma like this, or are you going through one right now? What did you end up choosing, if you chose at all?