It was the best of times, It was the worst of times...
After a long absence, my first update serves as only a preliminary introduction to a more thorough update which will be up this weekend. The lessons learned, the people I've met, the places I've gone, the things I've seen, I'm going to touch on all the significant factors up to this point. And frankly, my life has become a little bit like a story you might read on a rainy day...
Finding a place where I belong, finding a near perfect niche, learning to engage both people and education fully, a willingness to ask all questions, encouragement to challenge authority without fear, re-evaluating one's preconceptions of black and white in search of gray, catching a glimpse of the small, near non-existent portion of knowledge and wisdom I currently own in relation to an entire sea of ideas, realizing that I'm wrong far more often than not. Learning to not care about making a fool of oneself for the pursuit of knowledge, taking a leadership role among school organizations and assuming a major role in the development of a local church. Coming to this place for a number or reasons, but mainly for the pursuit of digital media, only to discover that it isn't a true fit after all. Deciding to change majors, countless discussions with professors outside of class, landing the initial go-ahead/support of the faculty in making at least the pilot of a documentary within the campus and throughout the state of Indiana (that's huge). Searching for truth wherever it may lie, learning to turn over all stones and examine all possibilities. Returning home to old friends and the family, an amazing weekend (to say the very least), followed by severe division of mind and unsettledness. Only to be reminded that peace of mind exists in the truth that there is a bigger picture, that answers are out there if we are willing to look and be humble enough to accept purpose over pleasure. Yes, my friends, I would be lying to you if I said this first semester so far was anything less than the craziest ride I've ever been on.
And this is the lesson that I've settled on recently. Based on the quote "I'm not afraid of failing, but rather succeeding at something that does not matter." The definition of success in my mind is far from a common societal definition of the word. It's the people, the relationships, the friends you love and that love you that define a person's success in my mind. Money and fame would be great things to have, but that's not the kind of happiness a person can build their lives on and expect to live a fulfilling life. I have friends that will be with me for the rest of my life, that I can honestly say "I love you" to. And with that in mind, it doesn't matter anymore what comes my way, the uncertainty of the future is irrelevant, because I have already achieved a sense of success, I already have a basis on which to build my life: keeping one's eyes fixed on the greater scheme. Those unwilling to attempt the absurd are unable to achieve the impossible, just as those who trade love of others for a hefty paycheck will be able to find true peace and happiness. I've told people before that I don't always keep my priorities in check, but since attending Huntington, the aspect of prioritizing one's life has become something I pay much closer attention to. For me, happiness is knowing that I have people in my life that I can trust and count on in the midst of the worst storms, to know that I have something more to hold onto when life becomes terrible, while at the same time, having the same friends to share the great times, the "moments" (as Fudale would say) in life with.
In closing to this somewhat massive, yet strictly introductory update, here's to the people in life that I pray we all find, who will walk with us openly in through the best and worst. The people that remind us that purpose is something much bigger than our own perception. The people that not only show us what love is, but teach us what love means. We're all in different places both literally and figuratively, but we all, for at least one moment, shared a commonality in friendship (if not, you wouldn't be reading this). So is the future bright, is it dark, is it uncertain or predictable? All four adjectives fall into irrelevance, in the light that we may (if not already) find a guide to deal with all situations. I don't profess to have answers or suggestions on living, but I will say that holding onto one's true friends in life sets the tone for happiness versus despair. And with that, I'll be updating soon.
P.S. There's an 80% chance I'll be double majoring in Psychology and Philosophy starting next semester. Yes, I calculated that statistic based on my current and probably pursuits and interests.
P.S.S. I really didn't calculate that. Unless "calculate" is synonymous with "pick randomly."
P.S.S.S. Colbert for President!
Finding a place where I belong, finding a near perfect niche, learning to engage both people and education fully, a willingness to ask all questions, encouragement to challenge authority without fear, re-evaluating one's preconceptions of black and white in search of gray, catching a glimpse of the small, near non-existent portion of knowledge and wisdom I currently own in relation to an entire sea of ideas, realizing that I'm wrong far more often than not. Learning to not care about making a fool of oneself for the pursuit of knowledge, taking a leadership role among school organizations and assuming a major role in the development of a local church. Coming to this place for a number or reasons, but mainly for the pursuit of digital media, only to discover that it isn't a true fit after all. Deciding to change majors, countless discussions with professors outside of class, landing the initial go-ahead/support of the faculty in making at least the pilot of a documentary within the campus and throughout the state of Indiana (that's huge). Searching for truth wherever it may lie, learning to turn over all stones and examine all possibilities. Returning home to old friends and the family, an amazing weekend (to say the very least), followed by severe division of mind and unsettledness. Only to be reminded that peace of mind exists in the truth that there is a bigger picture, that answers are out there if we are willing to look and be humble enough to accept purpose over pleasure. Yes, my friends, I would be lying to you if I said this first semester so far was anything less than the craziest ride I've ever been on.
And this is the lesson that I've settled on recently. Based on the quote "I'm not afraid of failing, but rather succeeding at something that does not matter." The definition of success in my mind is far from a common societal definition of the word. It's the people, the relationships, the friends you love and that love you that define a person's success in my mind. Money and fame would be great things to have, but that's not the kind of happiness a person can build their lives on and expect to live a fulfilling life. I have friends that will be with me for the rest of my life, that I can honestly say "I love you" to. And with that in mind, it doesn't matter anymore what comes my way, the uncertainty of the future is irrelevant, because I have already achieved a sense of success, I already have a basis on which to build my life: keeping one's eyes fixed on the greater scheme. Those unwilling to attempt the absurd are unable to achieve the impossible, just as those who trade love of others for a hefty paycheck will be able to find true peace and happiness. I've told people before that I don't always keep my priorities in check, but since attending Huntington, the aspect of prioritizing one's life has become something I pay much closer attention to. For me, happiness is knowing that I have people in my life that I can trust and count on in the midst of the worst storms, to know that I have something more to hold onto when life becomes terrible, while at the same time, having the same friends to share the great times, the "moments" (as Fudale would say) in life with.
In closing to this somewhat massive, yet strictly introductory update, here's to the people in life that I pray we all find, who will walk with us openly in through the best and worst. The people that remind us that purpose is something much bigger than our own perception. The people that not only show us what love is, but teach us what love means. We're all in different places both literally and figuratively, but we all, for at least one moment, shared a commonality in friendship (if not, you wouldn't be reading this). So is the future bright, is it dark, is it uncertain or predictable? All four adjectives fall into irrelevance, in the light that we may (if not already) find a guide to deal with all situations. I don't profess to have answers or suggestions on living, but I will say that holding onto one's true friends in life sets the tone for happiness versus despair. And with that, I'll be updating soon.
P.S. There's an 80% chance I'll be double majoring in Psychology and Philosophy starting next semester. Yes, I calculated that statistic based on my current and probably pursuits and interests.
P.S.S. I really didn't calculate that. Unless "calculate" is synonymous with "pick randomly."
P.S.S.S. Colbert for President!