I have decided what I want to do with my life. It took 20 years for me to determine my purpose, but I believe I know it now. I'm going to be a child advocate lawyer.

That, I hope, is my purpose in life.

I always picture my life like a movie. I plan out conversations with friends I will have later in the day. I plan what I am going to wear according to who I will see, and I already have planned my class schedule out for the rest of my Tech career. I want my life to be like a movie, and all of my favorite movie characters have a purpose, a meaning for living.

Darth Vader revealed Luke's destiny with the monumental statement, "Luke, I am your father." Frodo Baggins unknowingly inherited a ring that could give his enemies control of all Middle Earth and in the end was able to save the world. Even Jake and Elwood Blues from "The Blues Brothers" had a mission to help the orphanage raise enough money to stay open.

I want to do something meaningful in life, and I think I'm in the majority. I've never met someone who told me, "I want to be a bum begging on the street corner," or "I want to be on welfare for the rest of my life." That's just not what people wish for, or at least not the ones I have met. Most people want the American dream: a spouse with a bright smile, a house in a nice neighborhood, lots of money and 2.5 kids. Most children are encouraged to struggle for this dream.

I emphasize "most" children.

My first look at full-blown poverty was at a school in my home parish, but in recent years and trips to third-world countries, I have learned exactly how far the poverty line extends. Children have holes in their shoes and look forward to breakfast and lunch at school because they will not receive any food at home. Mothers and fathers are separated, jobless and penniless. Families are no longer important in society.

What are their purposes in life?

What are our purposes in life?

I have always been taught to help those in need, because I could just as easily be sitting on the corner asking for food. Had I not been born to my parents and my particular characteristics, what would I be doing now? Would I have the morals I have now? Would I even be alive?

I could play the "What If?" game forever, visualizing different roads my life could have taken and different purposes my life could have had. However, I know my purpose in life is not to second-guess myself.

I still could have a different life than the one I have planned. Life is not like a movie, after all, as I have harshly learned. My occupation as a lawyer would not guarantee that I would make anyone's life better. In fact, I could completely mess up -- which is not so unlikely for me -- and do the opposite of my intentions.

Do I risk it?

Naturally.

I am not going to back down from a fight, especially one where I could help people. I can not sit by idly and watch people suffer when I possibly could alleviate their pain.

I will not keep my opinions quiet because the person against me is more powerful and eloquent. I am a blunt, sharp-tongued redhead who probably would benefit from staying silent and not starting a fight. What would the fun be in that, though?

I am not going to exile people because of their mistakes or their backgrounds. No one is perfect, and anyone can fall from a high position. I will not serve as a detrimental device to anyone who needs a friend, a smile or a word of confidence.

I will be a child advocate lawyer. I will help those in need.

That is my purpose in life.

Judith McDaniel is a junior journalism major from Oak Grove and serves as a news editor for The Tech Talk.