Life is an interesting journey. Full of hills and valleys that can swallow us whole or raise us to levels not believed possible, it is interesting to reflect on the commonality of every unique experience.
While there has never been another YOU in the history of humanity, how many times have you heard the line, “Man, if only I knew then what I know now”? It is almost as if those who utter this phrase believe that to transport back in time with current knowledge intact means an end to every regret, bad choice or missed opportunity.
When you stop to think about it, have you ever noticed that almost everyone you know spent their childhood desperately running forward into whatever comes next? If you are under the age of 25, you probably still feel this way. The saddest reality is that most people are destined to spend their adulthood desperately wishing for that same passage of time to slow back down.
As one who has already passed this threshold, I feel it is a good idea to try to help you with your journey. My goal during my time at LBCC is to pass along knowledge gained over my two decades in academics (both as a grad and undergrad student and as an educator). My hope is that something in each column I write will resonate with you and that this newfound awareness will help you make the most out of what is, truthfully, a very brief existence.
Know that the first step in any journey is to stretch your comfort zone. It is an infinitely sad reality that far too many people spend their lives trapped inside their own heads, lost in the shuffle of a playlist or, worse, afraid to interact with others.
The simplest thing in the world is to say hello.
Every day we come into contact with people we know nothing about. Keep in mind that while there is the possibility that you may have nothing in common, the chances are greater that you do. Remember, none of us know the future. For all you know your spouse or boss may be the person sitting right next to you. Keep this in mind always when you interact with people.
Always think about who you are presenting to the world and strive to make that persona one of kindness and likability. Remember, you are now an adult. No longer are you walking the halls of your high school, trying desperately to fit in. As an adult making your way into the world, how you treat people is not only a reflection of who you are, but it is also a great indicator of how far you go in life.
Always think about who you are presenting to the world and strive to make that persona one of kindness and likability. Remember, you are now an adult. No longer are you walking the halls of your high school, trying desperately to fit in. As an adult making your way into the world, how you treat people is not only a reflection of who you are, but it is also a great indicator of how far you go in life.
The most important thing to remember is that a successful life (getting a job, advancing a career, finding a partner, etc) is no longer about what you know. There are literally THOUSANDS of people out there working harder than you in the same pursuits. This means that of utmost importance is to spread your social network, not only for the doors opened and the opportunities created, but also to branch out your support group. Trust me, you will need more than family to know, love and trust you if you want to truly succeed and survive in life.
So, if you do nothing else this week, step out of your comfort zone. Say hello as you walk across campus, talk to the person next to you in class, on the bus or at your work. Join a club, a team or a project. Find people who are like you. Above all else, find and follow your passion. Though there is no one else in this world EXACTLY like you, I hope you start to seem the similarities in us all.
2 comments:
Hello Andrew. I must say: reading your article feels “meant to be.” When I wrote for The Commuter a few years ago, I also strove to help the community through sharing and analyzing personal experiences. This time around, you are helping me. Graduating college gave me an identity crisis. I had a beautiful friendship throughout my younger years and a thriving romantic relationship throughout my college career. The jackpot when it comes to making it through any hardship with support and good love. That is all changing now. I often want to go back in time and do things differently with the knowledge and wisdom I now have. I realize that I had reason(s) to make the choices I did; I also realize fear and regret cannot cripple me now . I realize it all, but it’s still difficult. When life gets hectic, I guess you can simplify your life in an attempt to remain in your comfort zone or you can truly question yourself, gain new experiences and perspectives, and hopefully heal. I’m attempting to do the latter and “say hello” to new people. I make an effort every day to explore the community in new ways so as to explore myself in new ways. I’m always surprised by my bravery, and how kind and supportive a stranger can be. Part of this pursuit is to love and trust myself again, and to gain love and trust from others. And you reminded me that I’m not alone in wanting a better life. I’m not alone in my regret or my aspirations. I thank you for your article and look forward to reading more.
Hello Jennifer. I am always happy to help, and very happy when anything I write gives someone perspective or a push. Life is truly a journey, and that journey is often not a pleasant one. Our greatest hopes, as I see it, are two fold. 1) We must always strive to do the best we can in any given situation, to know that we are indeed, in the moment, making the best choice for us right then and there and 2) that we never lose sight of the fact that we can never always make the right decisions. No one is capable of predicting the future. The only thing we can ever hope to do is to learn and grow from any choice so as to ensure we are constantly learning what works for us in our lives.
Though I do not know you, I am proud that you are continually stepping out and pushing yourself, it sounds like you have a lot to offer. Keep being you. Though at times it may feel like the road is tough, I am constantly reminded that nothing worth having is ever easy. That every step we take in pursuit of tackling some innate question we have about self or life is indeed a step in the right direction.
Post a Comment