because i can.

I stole this phrase from a book I'm currently reading that I'll review once I'm done, but for now, I have to note how much it struck me.

"Because I can."

In the book, the words are uttered by a dying 14-year-old girl who lives in an African slum. She goes out of her way to help an American who is researching there. When he asks why she takes such tremendous effort on her part (even though it's a small task to him that he simply did not want to carry out) to help him, she tells him those three words.

"Because I can."

She's thin. She's weak. Every movement seems to agonize her. But she helps him, simply because she still has the ability to do it.

And why not?

I am privileged. There is a lot I can do. I am smart. I am educated. I have many strengths and talents that I could be putting to very good uses. But instead I have been swallowed by my misfortunes. I let them consume me, even though they are nothing compared to what others are experiencing.

"Because I can."

Experiences that depress me:

• I am a college graduate with so many honors and great experiences who cannot get a job I feel I deserve. 
• I do not have any close friends who live near me, meaning my social life is fairly non-existant at the moment except when I make an effort to connect with far away friends via phone, texting, Facebook, or email. I get discouraged when I don't hear from friends often.
• I have dealt with an alcoholic father who had a profoundly negative effect on my childhood. This same man then had extremely complicated health conditions starting in my sophomore year of college and almost died multiple times. My experiences with him have shook my whole being.
• I am lazy. I find it hard to focus in my life since college since I do not know the "right" direction I should go.
• I hate still living at my parent's house. The atmosphere is not one that is good for me. I get frustrated and depressed.

"Because I can."

But what can I do? I have felt hopeless so many times, but these words have brought new life to my situation. 

Why should I get off my butt and do something? Why should I get past my pathetic misfortunes and find new strength in my way of living?

"Because I can."

I can do a lot. I can change the world if I want. I can help people. I can make a difference. I can. I can. I can.

This new awakening must guide my actions. I must stay committed to my life. I must carry through with my upcoming internships and embrace them fully, using the experiences to promote my next steps. It's time to figure out not only a career, but what I can uniquely bring to the world to help others. I must analyze my strengths and figure out how to promote change. 

Why?

"Because I can."