I was a pretty independent kid. I thought maybe I'd be a

Hear the youthful reflection of Mark Parker, who would one day lead one of the world’s greatest companies, yet who once said with humility: “I was a pretty independent kid. I thought maybe I'd be a veterinarian or an environmental lawyer.” These words carry within them the seed of truth that greatness often begins not in grand visions of empires, but in the quiet stirrings of childhood curiosity and independence. They remind us that the paths we first imagine may not be the ones we walk, but they shape the spirit with which we journey.

The origin of this saying is found in Parker’s early life, long before he became CEO of Nike. He was a boy who sought his own way, guided by the love of nature, the care for animals, and the yearning to defend what could not defend itself. To dream of being a veterinarian was to imagine a life of healing. To dream of being an environmental lawyer was to envision a life of protection. Both paths reveal a heart inclined toward stewardship and justice. Though destiny would carry him into design, innovation, and leadership, the roots of compassion and independence remained in him always.

This truth is echoed in the stories of history. Consider the young Abraham Lincoln, who as a boy split rails and read books by firelight. He did not dream of leading a nation through its greatest trial; he dreamed of studying law, of becoming useful to his neighbors. Yet those humble dreams taught him resilience and justice, preparing him for the destiny he could not yet see. So too with Mark Parker: though he did not become a veterinarian or environmental lawyer, the independence and care those dreams reflected became part of his character, shaping the leader he would one day be.

The quote also reminds us of the value of independence in youth. Too often, the young are told what to become, their paths narrowed by the expectations of others. But independence allows the spirit to explore, to imagine, to consider lives of healing, of protection, of creation. From such freedom are born not only leaders of companies, but poets, reformers, and builders of nations. Independence in childhood is the soil in which responsibility and vision take root.

Yet there is also wisdom here about the nature of destiny. We may begin life thinking we shall serve in one way, yet life may lead us another. What matters most is not the specific role, but the values we carry with us. To care for the weak, to defend the earth, to think freely, to act responsibly—these values can manifest whether one is a lawyer, a doctor, a designer, or a leader of thousands. Parker’s youthful dreams were not wasted; they were woven into his later work, guiding his choices and leadership.

The lesson for us is simple, yet profound: do not despise the dreams of childhood, for they are windows into the soul’s deepest callings. Even if the road diverges, the essence of those dreams remains. If you wished once to heal, find ways to heal now. If you wished once to protect, find ways to protect now. The form may change, but the spirit must endure.

And what, then, shall we do in our own lives? Let us nurture the independent spirit in ourselves and in our children. Let us listen to the dreams that arise from innocence, for they often carry truths untainted by greed or fear. Let us carry the values of care and justice into whatever roles life gives us, refusing to abandon them even if our paths are unexpected. In this way, we honor both the child we once were and the world we seek to serve.

So remember the words of Mark Parker: though destiny may shift, the roots of who we are remain. Be independent, be compassionate, and carry the heart of your early dreams into the work of your later years. For it is not the title that defines a life, but the spirit with which it is lived.