Be Who You Ought To Be

Zoey grew up being told to become a doctor, but she chose to fulfill her calling and not her parents’ wishes. She became an artist. Though she was happy with her choice, she was haunted by her parents’ expectations and the doubts that they brewed.

When Zoey watched her son, Elijah, she always imagined him as a doctor. He didn’t have a passion for art, but he loved studying science. As she watched her son grow and her demons haunted her, she began to push her son in his studies while subconsciously withdrawing from her own passion.

Zoey wasn’t conscious of her withdrawal or the pressure that she placed on Elijah; she justified her actions by thinking that she was doing what was best for her son. Zoey felt more hope in transferring her past battles on to her son. She thought she had made a mistake in going against her parents and she was determined not to allow Elijah to make the same mistake.

One Friday night, Elijah came home late after hanging out with his friends. Zoey had been home worried and contemplating how this would affect his study habits.

“Elijah!” Zoey yelled when her son came home. “Where have you been? Did you remember your assignment? You know you ought to concentrate on your studies first before going out!”

Elijah had been conscious of his mother’s shift of focus for some time. He didn’t know why she doubted her work or why she became so insistent that he become a doctor, but he couldn’t handle the disrespectful pressure that built between them.

Elijah calmly looked at his mother and replied, “Yes, mother, I did what I had to before I went out.”

Then he asked, “What has made you suddenly push me to be a doctor and neglect your artwork? You know, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be.” 

Zoey stared at Elijah in shock as the realization of her recent changes hit her like a bulldozer. She hadn’t realized how she affected Elijah as she was drowning in old fears and regrets. It was time for her to face her demons and make a change.

Inspired by “I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be.” -Martin Luther King Jr