What's the F*cking Rush For?

What the fuck are people rushing for?

School, youth…is it really that bad? Yeah, classes are boring as. Yeah, exams suck. Studying sucks. Especially when it seems like there’s absolutely no point.

But is it really all bad? We meet some amazing people through school and university, make some everlasting memories never to be forgotten. We laugh, we mess around, go crazy and experience some amazing things throughout our youth that will help us find our way through this puzzle that is life. And quite frankly, our biggest worries during these years are over whether we pass an exam or not, which in all honesty will probably end up having little impact on how our lives turn out to be in the long run or what path we decide to take.

At least when we’re at school, we’re guided and safeguarded by our parents – no rent, no bills, no taxes… Is what comes next going to be much better? Aside from a lucky few, most of us are going to have to work 9-5 (or longer) jobs for many years to come. Sure, if we take the right steps we’ll find jobs we enjoy, and if we do, as the saying goes, I’m sure it’ll feel as though we don’t have to work a day in our lives.

I can see why people look forward to that. The prospect of doing something I love as a career and seeing that guide me through life onto better things excites me as well. But what I struggle to understand is why a lot of people, many of my friends included, are so rushed to get through school and university, wishing their youth away.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not trying to bring you down by suggesting that the next chapter of our lives is going to be shit or anything. I’m simply asking why we don’t try and enjoy the good things instead of wishing to be done with it as soon as possible only to start a new phase full of more work and more responsibility.

We’re only young once. When I think back, I already can’t believe how fast time’s gone by, and the fact that I’m almost done with university baffles me every single time the thought crosses my mind. The fact that I will soon have to start making some serious decisions that will help me pave my way through life frightens me in a way, and I am constantly reminded of how the years are slipping away in the blink of an eye…

The thing that comforts me the most is that speaking from my own experience, I’ve done my best throughout the years to enjoy every single moment, rather than to focus on the negatives. I always tried to tell myself how quickly time would pass by, and I was always aware that the next chapter of life is going to be a lot tougher, and a lot more serious.

I’m not going to lie, I miss high school, and I will most certainly miss university. I also know many people who hated school back then but now wish they could go back to those days when everything was a lot simpler.

Yes, I look forward to the next chapter, but I’m still wondering, what the fuck is everyone rushing for?

Life is Worth The Struggle

Give yourself credit. Take a step back every now and then to reflect on things and remember not to be too harsh on yourself.

I mean seriously, why do our inner voices have to be so critical and so cynical? When we look at others around us and evaluate some of the things they’ve gone through, how do we react? When it comes to analysing our own selves, we’re like our own worst enemy. That inner voice is a bitch, ignore it.

I try and remind myself every now and then to take a step back, take some alone time to reflect on things and recognise how far I’ve come over the years. Yes, I talk to myself sometimes, and I have my own inner dialogue with regards to what I’ve achieved, and I analyse these the way I would if a friend of mine was telling me his life story.

Of course, none of us are perfect – we all face similar challenges in life and just like you, I also manage to bring myself down from time to time. But in those situations we have to remember that as long as we are breathing and as long as the world keeps spinning, we have time to make our dreams come true. I believe that with all my heart.

We can all make an impact on this world, we can change things for the better, and we can leave our mark on this world. I don’t know about you, but one of my biggest dreams is to somehow leave a mark on this world – I have no idea how I would do that at the moment, but I believe there is a way and I believe I will figure it out, and I think that’s the most important part – believing until your very last breath, even when you’ve lost all reason to believe.

Be proud, and be strong, brave souls. Yes, we all have different life paths and endure different circumstances from both ends of the extremely broad spectrum of life, but if you’re reading this, no matter what you’re going through I believe you have a glimpse of hope and strength within you, and I bet you’ve overcome some amazing things. You have great things in your life too, I’m sure. Sometimes the best things in our lives we take for granted, or we drive away from ourselves. Love and happiness often come from these things – we just need to remember to appreciate them, to reincorporate them into our lives and remember how blessed we are. Believe in yourself, and stay strong.

PS: If you’re looking for a good book to read, I highly recommend The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer – a book about finding inner peace and making the best of the amazing journey that is life.

PROVEHITO IN ALTUM
Daniel

Remember Tonight

I was reminded once again last night of that special feeling of knowing you're in the presence of love and how love conquers all. Love, put simply, appears to me to be the essence of life. Without love, we are nothing. I accept that the perception and experience of love may differ from person to person. Some of us will find love as we gaze into each other's eyes and see into the depths of their hearts, whereas others may find love in a sport, a place, a restless dream... But love in itself is essential,constant and necessary, even for those guided by evil.

I admit this may be a slightly rushed reflection of a drunken night full of celebration and excitement, but I felt the need to share these thoughts, thank my friends for reminding me once again that there is hope for all of us and that love is the guiding force of our lives, and above all, wish them a lifetime of happiness. I dedicate this piece to you guys, you know who you are :)

And I think it's appropriate to close with one of my favourite quotes from One Tree Hill.

"Remember tonight, for it is the beginning of always. A promise, like a reward for persisting through life so long alone. A belief in each other and the possibility of love. A decision to ignore and simply rise above the pain of the past. A covenant, which at once binds two souls and yet severs prior ties. The celebration of the chance taken and the challenges that lie ahead. For two will always be stronger than one, like a team braced against the tempest civil world. And love will always be the guiding force in our lives. For tonight is mere formality. Only an announcement to the world of feelings long held. Promises made long ago, in the sacred spaces of our hearts"

PROVEHITO IN ALTUM
Daniel