Where have all the [idealistic] cowboys gone?

I had recently began to question where all of the idealism had gone in AIESEC.

A prime example of this: At the national conference during a networking session when we were directed to break into small groups and discuss our interests, life goals, dreams, and plans, I had to listen to a guy talk for 5 minutes about how his life goal was to make 6 figures playing online poker...he was already making 5, and he "didn't even like playing it, it's like work, but-
I guess it pays the bills."

So, your life goal is to make one more figure doing something you don't even like?

He went on to say that he "had never thought of a career or job as a place that you can make a difference."

What?! Do you know what conference you're at?

I know I shouldn't judge, but I wanted to punch him in the face and tell him to leave. He was actually anti-inspiring.

But tonight as my friends watched/helped me clean my room, Shakira's Ojos Asi came up on my playlist. I started dancing the AIESEC roll call around my room and I explained to them why I knew a choreographed dance to that song.

I was like "Yeah, you could never join AIESEC because of all the dancing, hey Alex?" (She only finds dancing acceptable if it's at a party, where the lighting is very dim, and the floor is very crowded-hence, there is no elaborate dancing going on)

She responded, "Let's be real Molly, the reason I couldn't join AIESEC is because of everyone in it's unstoppable optimism." (Alex would like to be very clear that she rolled her eyes while saying "unstoppable optimism")

So, I am going to stop questioning, and step up to the charge of being "Unstoppably optimistic." I believe that everyone will re-realize that the world can use a little idealism, a little creativity and innovation, a little flexibility and ambition, a little belief.

I am assuming that I will be completely drained of this idealism by the time I'm 40, so we might as well (no, we better) blow shit up and make a change while we've got it in us.

They might not remember, but I do: When I took Eric and Kyle's class we had a discussion about what we could do next. They said (something to the effect of): "You guys are all still young enough that you can choose a path and a career that will allow you to create the impact and change that you desire."

And I thought, how lucky am I that I get to spend all of my effort on changes that I think are important, shaping a world that I imagine it can be.

Your job can be a vehicle for change. You can be a vehicle for change. You can choose your path. You don't have to start a revolution, start by positively impacting the ten people that cross your path tomorrow; or start a revolution, too. Blow shit up. Be alive and inspired. Be Inspiring. Live the Dream.

Your 40th Birthday Party isn't going to be near the adventure that this will be, so what are you waiting for?

For my 40 and up readership (probably just my dad): I love you dearly, and your 100th Birthday Party, though impressive, will not be nearly the adventure that these next years can be, so what are you waiting for?