Adversity, although not the ultimate definition of who we are, has a way of impacting our future decisions, strengthening or weakening us into the person we would inevitably become. It's in the moments of hardship and toil that we begin to understand ourselves better than the Buzzfeed personality quizzes we binge on while procrastinating AP Chemistry homework. The ability to overcome has been taught in the classroom for as long as I can remember and encouraged at home, but it's most challenging in real-life situations.
I have to make a confession: I'm a bit obsessed with Drake Bell, otherwise known as "Drake" from the hit Nickelodeon sitcom Drake and Josh. Ever since I saw him on The Amanda Show, he's been one of my favorite actors and musicians to this date. However, it wasn't until this year when I realized the true reason why I liked Drake Bell.
In December, he received the heartbreaking news that he would never be able to play the guitar again, due to an extreme injury on his wrist. The news shocked his fans -- "Drakesters" -- as he calls them, as they responded with encouraging texts, pictures and Tweets to aid him in the journey of recovery.
Now, I couldn't imagine how I would react if somehow I broke my hand, and was unable to write anything ever again. Knowing my natural tendencies to overreact, I would probably react Disney princess style: throw myself on the nearest object, cry, sing a song about it and continue to cry. Yet, Drake Bell isn't letting the news get to him, as he continues to travel around the United States to perform his music. He regularly attends physical therapy sessions as a way of gaining strength back for his wrist.
I had the amazing opportunity of meeting Drake during his performance at the No Vacancy in Los Angeles, California, and what he told me was absolutely inspiring. Dressed in a faded blue jean jacket and smelling like my childhood dreams coming to fruition, Drake turned and said, "Hearing the news was tough. Playing the guitar is something that I love, and I'm not going to let this be the end for me."
Everyday presents an opportunity to either be a victor, or a victim of the inevitable circumstances thrown your way. As the college decisions come in, test results are handed back to you and scholarship winners are announced, it's important to remember to press on. When life hands you lemons, don't just make lemonade -- make orange juice and leave the whole world wondering how you did it. It's time for us to rise to the potential we know we have, and to stand up when all the odds are against us.
And yes, I HAD to ask Drake whether or not he plans on working with Josh Peck again, and the result was a resounding "yes."
