Boring Speech...but I have nothing else to write about.

I had to write a speech on leadership in my creative writing class. I wasn't thrilled about the assignment, but when am I ever? Anyway, here it is. I apologize that I really have nothing to write about today, as I am determined not to make this blog a rambling of my day to day activities.
____________________________________________________________________


Author, Harold McAlindon once said “do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” To be a leader, you must leave a trail. But it’s not always that simple. Leaving your own trail isn’t too difficult; but a true leader’s path is followed by many, not only because it’s paved, but because they want to. There are many people in our history books that are falsely recognized for leadership. Yes, Adolf Hitler plowed a path, but in the end how many people truly wished to go down it? And was there anything beneficial waiting at the end? It’s easy enough to rent a bulldozer and clear new land (metaphorically speaking, of course), but the difficulty comes in making it desirable. It may be unfortunate, but in today’s society who are you if no one wants to follow where you lead?
As I get closer to graduation, I wish I had left a clearer trail. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of the things I’ve accomplished in the last 12 years of school, but when people look back most probably won’t remember me. I was the class treasurer, a member of National Honor Society, and a delegate for Dirigo Girl’s State; so, yeah I made a trail. But thus far, the followers are missing. Maybe it’s because I’m quiet, or because I’m perceived as snobby. Either way, I think that if I really applied myself I could become a good leader.
Not everyone is born a leader, but I believe that anyone can grow into one. Since we got this assignment I’ve been searching all over for quotes, definitions, and information about leadership. I’ve found that most of our famous leaders didn’t pop out like that; they worked for it. The got down and dug that path with their bare hands. Think about Martin Luther King Jr.; no one helped him clear the way. He really worked for his rights, his freedom, and his life. And that’s what makes the difference. We all have our own paths that we’ve created, but how much time and effort did you really spend on yours? I can say that mine is probably lacking just as much.
Pretty soon I’m going to be shoved out into the “real world”. It would be easy for me to go about my easy, narrow little pathway. But, I hope to do something better with myself. I hope that as I grow up, I can pave a much wider trail. And I hope that others will enjoy it just as I do, and want to follow in my footsteps. My trail will consist of all the dreams I’ve been waiting for since I entered school. And I think that if I have a chance to make this new trail, then maybe I could help just one other person find their own dreams.
Because that’s what a leader does. A leader’s dream is to assist other’s in accomplishing their own. Obama and Martin Luther King Jr.’s trails brought other African American’s dreams to life; just as Amelia Earhart dozed the way for female dreamers. Of course I don’t expect to become an amazing leader like these individuals, but I do hope that my life and my trail impact at least a few people.
So, don’t follow where a path may lead. Make your own. Because if you don’t leave your own trail then someone may miss out on following a great leader.