How’s it going y’all? Hopefully you’re all doing decently well amidst life’s chaos. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling introspective recently. Lost in the ether of possibilities and re-visiting memories, looking back with twenty twenty hindsight. I was listening to some of NF’s music the other day and a line I’ve heard hundreds of times jumped out at me in a different way. “I could go to college get in debt like everybody else. Graduate and prolly get a job that doesn’t pay the bills.”
Well, I haven’t actually graduated from college. I do however look back on my time in college as a series of learning experiences. I’m a firm believer that everyone who has the possibility of going to college should. Not simply for a degree, though they can be helpful. My realization about college after having been out for around three or four years? You learn more about yourself while there; you grow into who you are. Your views are challenged and oftentimes your morals are too.
I know mine were… while I was going to school at the College of Southern Idaho I experienced a great deal. Had my first taste of love and heartbreak. I did some things then I’m not proud of and learned more about myself through the process. I’d like to share some of these insights with y’all along with some illustrations.
Wise, the little green Master is.
I learned many things through my failures…and I’m still learning. In terms of love… listen to your heart; however listening to the advice of friends is something I HIGHLY advise. The phrase “love is blind” is highly applicable here. Don’t take leave of your senses because you’re blinded by emotions. I do in fact speak from personal experience here.
Know when, and better still HOW to correct authority figures. Some of the most challenging times I had during college came with being involved in Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship and the leadership there. While I was involved with this group I volunteered to lead a small bible study group. At the time there was a young man I’ll call Jay, he had a habit of wearing shirts that weren’t exactly church appropriate. Our Chi Alpha group leader had a thing for around others saying how much he hated this one specific shirt.
Then, as now I had a rather sarcastic attitude. I recall saying “Well, isn’t the important thing that he’s showing up to groups and being exposed to the love of Christ and acceptance of others?” I took it a step further and then quoted scripture to our leader “1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider how handsome or tall he is. I have not chosen him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outside of a person. But the Lord looks at what is in the heart.”
I felt it was necessary to remind the leader of what God had to say, and also humble him. In this case I did so correctly and respectfully. I had my share of disagreements with this leader, however I do miss him. He unfortunately passed away a few years ago. Which brings me to my next point…
Live your life in such a way that you can look back and be thankful for those people who helped guide you. I’ve had friends through the years come and go… It’s always hard when people you spent a good chunk of time with aren’t there anymore. It hurts when they leave and you’re left alone.
So I encourage you my minions, to become who YOU are. Stick to that, to what makes you you. I fell in love with longboarding in college. Then, as now it helps me think. To just go and cruise… I began shooting more photography in college and got much better after I’d left. I blended with rap music, baggy cargo shorts and hoodies. Find something you’re passionate about, then do it and keep doing it.
Too many people look back on their lives and focus on what they could have done when they were younger. Paying no attention to the fact that there’s nothing stopping them from doing it here and now. If you put off your dreams and ambitions waiting for someday? They’ll never happen. Someday happens to be, in my book any day ending in y. So! In the words of Shia Lebeouf…
Richard
Holy Water, Burning Man 