Recently my class of seniors entered the "real world."
Naturally, the week prior to the ceremony we were all buzzing with excitement.
It may have been the fact that, finally, we were going to be finished with
public school. There is a distinct moment that someone becomes very aware what
graduating actually means. Freedom, yes but I think this change is more about
being free to live your life. It's about what comes next and what you choose to
do with that newfound freedom.
At the end of the graduation they played a slideshow from the year. Along
with a stream of pictures of every senior, Phillip Phillips' Home played along to epitomize the
years that will follow such a life-changing event:
"Hold
on, to me as we go
As
we roll down this unfamiliar road
And
although this wave (wave) is stringing us along
Just
know you're not alone
Cause I'm gonna make this place your home
Settle
down, it'll all be clear
Don't
pay no mind to the demons
They
fill you with fear
The
trouble it might drag you down
You
get lost, you can always be found
Just
know you're not alone
Cause
I'm gonna make this place your home"
It's a very appropriate song for a room full of students preparing to
embark on a new and excitingly terrifying journey. But it goes beyond
graduations I think. Every day
we are given a chance of a new adventure. And with that adventure there are going
to be risks. That’s the beauty of living, and of adventure.
Although there is a nothing new under the
sun, each day brings about a new set of wonders and a new set of challenges
that may be new to your eyes. With each amazing new discovery be sure to have
something to hold onto. Whether it is a conviction or a person -anything that
will help you become unshakeable. Like it says in this song, this road is
unfamiliar, the song does not say that it impossible.
Throughout life, decisions will need to be
made. Actions will need to be taken. If you’re anything like me, those two
things are undeniably and unavoidably terrifying. For instance, I have to pick
where I want to live. Stay here in Austin or go to away to Lubbock. One option
is a better financial option and the other is what I want. Whatever I choose, I
know I won’t be there on my own. I have a family of friends here and a family
of friends waiting for me there. The same is true wherever life takes you. As
long as you remember you’re not alone, any city in the world can become your
home.
So the next time you’re thinking about being
afraid to live your life because of the mundane fears of everyday life, don’t.
Risk is out there. That’s the beauty of living, and of adventure.
There is a beautiful quote from the movie Steel Magnolias that says “I would
rather have 30 minutes of something wonderful than a lifetime of nothing
special.” Though it’s true, you only live once; the screaming of “YOLO” ad
nauseam gets old extremely fast. I love this because the message of carpe diem
and YOLO derived from good intentions. The intention that life is meant to be
lived without fear and without regrets. Each day is a gift, and every gift must
be opened in order to be find something wonderful.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoy what you read please leave a comment below, thank you!
If you keep up with my sporadic posting I can't say how much I appreciate you. I wanted to let you know that This summer I will be challenging myself on posting a little something everyday. There is a trending hashtag, #100happydays. I will be doing my own variation titled 100 Days To Happy, where I share something that either made me happy that day along with a quote that has to do with happiness. So stay tuned for more exiting posts. Have a joy filled summer!
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