Nobody Owes You Anything

 I’m unsure if I should thank godsend humbling experiences, but I’ve learned that no one owes me anything: a job, support, money, a “hook up”, or a Twitter shout out.  Therefore, imagine my surprise when I learned many people who I follow via Twitter do not agree. Recently, I witnessed Twitter Nazis from my university digitally attack Stephen A. Smith for not vocalizing the football team’s recent feats on a major network.  I was left confused as to why people believed that because this man’s degree retained the university’s name, it was an empowering implication that he would exude school pride.  I’m sure Smith’s success up to this point is independent of where he received his undergraduate degree, just as a college education is independent of one’s intelligence.  Moreover, the twitter rant revealed a more salient revelation—the dangers inherent in a sense of entitlement.

I am completely aware that Twitter is a cesspool for pretentious folk. I know this.  As I find myself entertained at the laughable attempts of portraying the pretense of no pretense, I’m reminded of the several instances in which these behaviors permeated academia.   I’ve witnessed several students become angered by ignored emails in their passable attempts at networking. Or, they become displeased at the lack of opportunities they failed to cultivate themselves. As a student in college, you are granted that much more access to a balance between support and resources. How you utilize what is in front of you, however, is your choice and dependent upon your own initiative.  My university’s football team achieved an undefeated season without Stephen A. Smith. Why anyone would want someone who refused involvement at the beginning of a process to be part of their eventual success is beyond me.

I believe one must have a “manageable” sense of entitlement in order to gain a decent level of respect. However, it becomes unmanageable when you expect recognition or support for achievements that are not applaudable.  Life is about access.  You are not entitled to that access.  Your major, achievements made as an alumnus, and self-proclaimed accomplishments are all independent of this access.  Unless you are taking initiative towards your 10,000 hours of expertise (I highly recommend reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell), then your campus involvement and accomplishments achieved within the same student population for however many years becomes trivial once you graduate and compete globally. 

I decided to write this article without any intention to minimize anyone’s accomplishments, as I am positive many are well deserved and worthy of recognition.  However, you owe it to yourself to make “excellence” function as your adjective, and to surpass the expectations of others without looking for their recognition.   Stephen A. Smith continued to live his life, earning a salary, accolades, and with no interest to concede to the requests of angry students. As for the students, well, they continued to rant.  The more you feel you are entitled or that someone owes you, the further you isolate yourself from your own happiness.

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