I will never forget the day I met Amanda, a bright and ambitious high school student who seemed to have it all together. But beneath the surface of their polished exterior, I sensed a simmering tension, a desperation that threatened to boil over at any moment.

Then I reached out to her, trying to understand what she might be going through, she opened-up about the overwhelming struggle she faced. ‘’Adolescence and adulthood, the weight of expectation threatened to crush my life,’’ she confined. ’My parents dreams for my future, my teachers demand for excellence. Every step I took, every decision I made was judged.’ Her voice cracked as she shared her burden.

I was deeply moved by Amanda’s story, and I asked her to share her true desires. I asked if she want to continue with the career her parents have chosen for her. Her response was emphatic a loud resolute ‘HELL NO’ she took a deep breath, her voice cracking with emotion and continued, I don’t want to study medicine, I want to be an artist, my parent won’t allow it. They think it’s impractical and it will lead to poverty. They believe pursuing art is a waste of time, that it won’t bring me financial stability.

I reassured her that being an artist wasn’t a problem and offered my support. I handed her my phone number encouraging her to reach out if she needed any help. At first, she declined saying she could handle it on her own. As time passed, she realized that facing her parents’ disapproval alone was more challenging than anticipated. She eventually contacted me admitting that she needed guidance and encouragement. As we spent more time together, I discovered that Amanda was not only talented but also vibrant and fun person, and I found my self- drawn to her passion and determination.

Despite her parents’ disapproval, we continued to face challenges together, united in our determination to support her artistic dreams. Confidence grew, she expressed a desire to share her work with a wider audience, beyond over small circle. ‘I want my art to be seen by others, not just us,’ she said. ‘Maybe we can find a famous artist who can help me grow and learn.’ I couldn’t say no, having promised to support her in any way I could. So, we took a bold step and posted some of her work online.  The response was overwhelming her talent was remarkable and she was soon recognised by the artistic ‘Art Hive’.

Art Hive offered to guide her throughout the creativity journey. However, we knew we had to address the elephant in the room, her parents’ disapproval. The director of Art Hive decided to visit Amanda’s parents, hoping to clear the air and gain their support. He found them sitting under a tree. With a warm smile, he introduced himself and explained his proposal, to mentor Amanda and showcase her art. Initially, her parents remained sceptical, but their demeaner changed when he mentioned the compensation package. The offer was substantial, life changing ever, and they couldn’t ignore it. Amanda’s mother, still wary spoke up in a firm tone, ‘if this affects her schoolwork, she will have to quit. I still want her to have a solid education, in case this artistic venture fails. The director reassured them, promising to discuss the importance of balancing art and academics with Amanda.

Stepping down as Amanda’s guide, she began to flourish under Art Hive’s mentorship though I was no longer her primary support, she kept me updated on her journey. Honestly, she struggled to focus on her schoolwork, but she knew sha had to find a way to balance both worlds. Her mother’s warning still lingered, and She was determined to avoid any repercussions. She worked with Art Hive to adjust her workload, hoping to make it more manageable. Amanda’s inner voice drove her forward, she had come too far to quit now. With renewed determination, she pushed herself to excel in both her artistic pursuits and academic responsibilities.

In the end, Amanda successfully balanced her artistic passions with academic responsibilities. Despite still being high school, Amanda achieved remarkable fame as an artist. Her parent regretted not supporting her talent from the start, wondering what she could have accomplished with earlier encouragement. However, she forgave them and moved forward, achieving great things for herself and her family. She never forgot her humble beginnings and remained grateful to those who supported her including her ‘destiny helper.’ Amanda’s inspiring journey led her to say, ‘get out of your comfort zone, find your destiny helper and you will discover what life has in store for you.’