Titles are always changing, evolving

As we go through life, titles will always be a part of growing and becoming the person you're going to be in this great big world.

I started out with the titles of daughter and granddaughter.

As I grew, those titles stayed true, but I added a few more: Student, teammate, best friend, girlfriend, graduate, college student, journalism major, Ball State University Alumna, fiancé, wife, aunt, daughter-in-law, business professional, avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, Colts fanatic, book lover, fur parent.

Some of these titles I gave myself by just going through life. You grow up and go through school. You become part of a team. You eventually graduate from an institution with a degree.

Others I chose, like that of fiancé, wife, business professional, fur parent, die hard Cards fan.

No matter how you attain them, you will constantly live with these labels that follow you through life.

But the great thing about all of this is that you have a very large say in the words you leave to your legacy.

The impact you make on people and the way you live your life, through the choices you make, are how you get these amazing, sometimes hindering, other times awful, but mostly beautiful words that follow you.

At 27, I wonder about the words people use to describe me. Are they positive? Are they leaving the impression I want to leave? Are they respectful?

I've always been told that you can be the sweetest peach in the bunch, and someone is bound to hate peaches.

And I've learned that is okay, but I want that person who doesn't quite like peaches to not talk so badly about peaches to others. Or in layman's terms, just because you don't care for me or aren't in my inner circle doesn't mean I want you to have a ill feeling towards me.

Are there going to be those people? Yes. Do they have to permanently define you? No.

So my challenge to you is to go and make a legacy you want to leave for your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, parents.

Make the world a better place today, tomorrow, forever, because you're a vital part of it.

Because you are very much a part of it.

Jessica is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached at jessicadgooding@gmail.com.