Cruising the Coast Highway in California is a must for anyone looking for breathtaking views of the Pacific. As the Highway dances along the coast and meanders through hills one can see the majesty in the Pacific. At the lookout in the picture all one can see is water for miles, with ships and people dotting the harbor beneath. It was an amazing sight. Looking back 5 years ago I hadn’t even stepped foot on an airplane, now airplanes have become common place.
Growing up a shy kid from a small town in North Carolina didn’t foreshadow me having the opportunity to visit 19 states, one US territory, and a foreign country (Spain) all by age 24. Most of these opportunities came from my time as a student manager with the NC State Basketball team. As a manager I would travel with the team all over the country and beyond. Before the start of my senior year the team and I had the chance to go to Spain to participate in exhibition games and cultural expeditions.
As I reflect on how things look for the future there are plenty of unknowns, I think that is what is being represented in my picture. Looking out I was trying to map out how my life would look in 3 years, 5 years, and on. If you could see in the future would you? At times I confidently answer this question with a yes; however, maybe it is better to take it one day at a time. That way we become molded by our experiences, family, friends, and relationships. Without a path set in stone we allow ourselves to work through the ups and downs. We can stay in the moment and put our best foot forward each day.
Don’t get bogged down in the minutia of everyday life, each day is a new set of opportunities. Don’t balk at the opportunity to experience all that the world has to offer. There are countless sights and people that can provide us with a lift from the day to day grind. Appreciate the people who put in the time to make you feel loved and special. I am afraid that my generations has become compromised in the sense that we take people and time for granted. All too often we tend to discount the efforts of our peers and look for anyway to get ahead. It’s great to be motivated and want to have success, personally I am one of the most competitive people you will ever meet, yet there is a time and place. We must be careful to put our energy and attention in worthwhile pursuits. Finding a balance between work and personal life can be difficult but must be mastered in order to reap the full rewards that life has to offer!
This brings me back to Dana Point, for a few minutes I was able to see what it will be like once I find that balance. Currently I have a good balance between life and personal time, but since I have graduated loneliness creeps in from time to time. I have friends and family close but most of my really close friends have moved to different parts of the country. Some are married now or recently engaged. Others are in serious relationships. We are all at different points in our lives which can make it difficult to stay in touch. It’s all part of growing up and being flexible. Creativity also comes into hand when its hard to find a method to communicate with those who are not close by.
As time marches onwards I must do a better job at embracing the unknown and looking forward with optimism. We will not be able to control everything in our lives but we can control how we react to certain events. As we put ourselves in good situations and surround ourselves with good people there is no reason to fear. Have confidence in doing the right thing each and every time. Good things are bound to follow.
Nunc Coepi 