As a descendant（后裔）of an immigrant family from Barbados, my childhood was different from that of my peers. My mom had rules for the home that seemed extremely 1. I must be home before nine. I was only 2 to watch television two hours a week. In the summers, I had to write book reports besides participating in a leadership camp.
In addition to these, what I felt unreasonable was that my mother 3 me to have role models. She'd always say, "You're allowed to respect certain 4 of a person, but you can never place that person on a pedestal（崇高地位）." Mom would then 5 that when you idolize people, their greatest accomplishments can unintentionally become the ceiling of your dreams. So while as a 1980s 6 I loved Oprah Winfrey, a famous talk show host, Mom 7 to have me strive to be like Oprah. She always said, "There is only one Oprah and only one Dana. Imagine your own success, Dana."
But in my late twenties, I lost touch with mom's 8. I wanted to be the best, and I 9 myself trying to make real the visions others had for me. Many times, I was 10 for meeting some established standard of success. That led to bonuses and promotions, which made me feel accomplished. But gradually, my sense of 11 disappeared. I came back to my secret reality of feeling 12, and a bit bitter at myself.
Then in my mid-thirties, I began to stop 13 other people's intentions. I 14 understand that Mom didn't want any person — no matter how 15 — to have control over my thoughts, dreams and ambitions. As my mom said, "All the tools you need to live your calling are already within you, Dana. No one else can live your life's purpose better than you."
