Applicant #34: James Brandon

James Brandon is a 21-year-old from Waterloo.

James' video application:

James' current situation:

I am living life to the fullest, and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.

James' blog post:

Freedom to me is the ability to engage in the activities and behaviors that come naturally to you. I believe that you can’t choose what you want, so the only way to be free is to go after what your heart desires.  Much of our lives can be spent contemplating how “they” perceive us, which takes both time and energy away from our own goals.  I have found that you are truly liberated and free once you can let go of these external opinions.

Freedom allows us to set and reach our own goals.  Too often our goals are set by what others believe we should do – parents, peers, and society all impose standards on us that tell us what ‘you should be doing for your age.’  Being free allows us to set our own goals, according to what is important to YOU.  Not only is the freedom to set your own goals exhilarating, it also can give you the confidence and motivation that are required in order to overcome the challenges we may face on the journey ahead.  

Too many times in our lives, we allow others to make decisions for us.  The media is consistently working to ‘brainwash’ youth today into believing in what is popular or cool at the time.  I have personally learned this lesson while at The University of Waterloo.  In my first year, professors encouraged me to take their lessons with a grain of salt – and to formulate my own ideas, opinions and outcomes based on how I understand the issue or topic .  

Freedom for me is the ability to travel.  Nothing to me is better than waking up in an entirely new city, and spending the day exploring and sight seeing.  Traveling has taught me to respect other ways of doing things – you may have your own opinions, but you must be able to appreciate other points of view.   Freedom is understanding that everyone has been through different situations and life experiences that have shaped them into their viewpoints.

Freedom can mean many different things for many different people.  However, I am convinced that nobody can ever be free from anything until they RESPECT others.  I truly believe that in today’s society, respect and tolerance are often taken as a sign of weakness.  Someone who I admire once said to me “don’t take my silence as weakness”. 

With mutual respect and appreciation for others, our generation holds the power to seriously change the world.  We have mastered communication to a level that previous generations have never come close to.  I truly believe that with our yearning for knowledge, we are going to discover things that will touch each and every one of our lives.

James