"There are no strings on me"

I'm getting ready to graduate from college and it's a wee bit scary...I feel like I'm getting a degree and immediately someone will come out of nowhere, kick me out of the house, and hand me a big envelope that is addressed to "Grown up". First of all....I hate the phrase "grown up" what does that even mean? I know people who are well into their 30s that I would hardly consider "grown up". As far as I'm concerned this degree is nothing but another tool in my tool bag. It may be a little larger than the others but it doesn't define who I am or where I have to go. Just because a carpenter has a hammer in his tool bag does not make him a professional "hammerer"...if you know what I mean. Considering the fact that I am young and have no strings attached I am going for my dreams and exploring what is possible. I realize how blessed I am to be able to act on my dreams and take the risks they demand. But I've worked hard and won't quit. My dreams are valuable to me and valuable to the people they will affect. Never give up on your dreams! Be patient and trusting and love the different seasons of your life...because they all serve a purpose and they are all precious to who you are!

"I've got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I'm free
There are no strings on me"

-pinocchio (remember him?)

When I was a little girl I remember hearing "grown up" and thinking those are the people that are forced to sit at a table and talk about boring things with really serious looks on their faces.