Last semester, also being my very first, was one I’ll never forget.
It was fulfilling in countless ways, yet at the same time, it was also incredibly draining. I took on way more than I should have and spent 12-13 hours a day in nonstop busyness.
During winter break, I was able to enter into a time of rest. I’ve truly never rested like that in years, as the winter breaks prior were incredibly shorter and filled to the brim with holiday madness. When I was able to be still and not be constantly moving, I was left with one thing — myself. I truly believe that when you accomplish all the mundane tasks on your to-do list, you aren’t living much of a life. For me personally, I was actually escaping from it. That is because when you are left with nothing but yourself, you have to face all of the problems and issues of life.
Over winter break, I was able to take inventory on myself. I noticed so much about myself that I missed because I was in constant motion. It’s like a plane. I felt like a plane just flying around in circles. Was I moving? Yes. Absolutely. But the real question was this — was I going somewhere?
Now, I’m about to get super cliche on you, but please do not take these words lightly. In this plane example, you must realize that you are the pilot of your own life. Nobody else but you can sit in that seat and pan those controls. Now, circumstances may come. Trouble might face you. Can you control what comes toward you? No. But can you control where you’re going and redirect in order to minimize impact? Absolutely. So stop going in circles.
If you feel like you’re just doing the same thing every day and not making progress on your personal self (body, mind, soul and spirit), then I challenge you to think about where it is you want to go. I’m not necessarily talking about a job, career, family aspirations, relationships, finances, etc., but about the deeper.
Where is it that you want to go? Where is it that I want to go? Well, I want health and prosperity in every area of my life — spirit, soul and body. I don’t just want a trickle of happiness here, and a trickle of happiness there — no, I want constant joy. I want to look in the mirror and instead of critique, I look in admiration, for I am in a place in my life that I’ve never been before. These aren’t far-out dreams that can’t be achieved — if you want it and are willing to sacrifice some things to go after it, you will get it.
However, I have one last piece of advice for you. Not every opportunity that is presented to you is for you. Not every position offered is a spot that you are meant to fill. Don’t settle for the first opportunity that comes knocking, as sometimes there is a greater one to follow. I’ve learned this the hard way. I’ve said yes to things and places that I feel are not where I should be or that do not fulfill me. Just because the plane is moving doesn’t mean that it is necessarily moving in the right direction.
With this being said, I encourage you to stop going in circles and get your bearings on where you want to go forward and go. What’s stopping you? More often than not, it may be you that’s getting in your own way. Fly high, UT, and don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when footprints are on the moon.
Jeremiah Vecchioni is a freshman at UT studying secondary social studies education. He can be reached [email protected]
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