By Rowdy Teaff, Sports Editor
“Think of the life you have lived until now as over, and as a dead man, see what’s left as a bonus and live it according to Nature. Love the hand that fate deals you and play it as your own, for what could be more fitting?”- Marcus Aurelius
Transitioning in life is weird. It’s a lot of fun because it’s the beginning of a new chapter, but at the same time it’s scary. There are so many unknowns. The beauty of beginnings is that life becomes a blank canvas, and we can choose how we want our painting to look. Life doesn’t have to be scary. Our perception of life is our reality, so why not make it positive?
For all of the seniors, we are getting ready to graduate from Hardin-Simmons University. This chapter is ending, and we are transitioning to write the next one. Some of us are going to graduate programs, while others are preparing to enter the workforce. The only certainty of the next chapter is its beginning.
Rather than being timid, we can take this head on. Now that we’re grown up, we can begin to view the world with childlike optimism. The sky is the limit. We have the ability to do what we want with our lives. The only thing in our way is ourselves. Life is so precious, and now we can chase it and all of its potential with vigor, running to the future but living in the present.
Knowing that life is short is a great reminder. Death is something that needs to be meditated but not negatively. If death is ugly, then so is life. Immortality would make life boring. Anyone could do anything if they had eternity, but having a limit makes time precious.
The new year is a time that is full of hope and optimism. As we flip to the next page of our calendars, it gives us a time to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished. Seeing the rest of life as a bonus allows us to realize that every moment we have is precious. Rather than worrying excessively about what could go wrong, we can see each day as an opportunity to own it. Creating resolutions can be a helpful tool if we make a lifestyle change and actually go do something to change our habits. Essentially we need to find one thing to focus on and do it.
Don’t get overwhelmed with what is going to happen next. Just keep moving forward. Obstacles will come and go, but that is life. Everything can change in an instant, and we have to be ready to change, too.
Seniors, it’s time to get our lives together! Juniors, your time is coming, too. Sophomores, it’ll be here before you know it. Freshmen, you’ve just begun a new chapter; enjoy it with everything you can. I get sappy when it comes to moving on because I love life. Moving on means that things have to change, and I don’t inherently love change. Beginning to mold my mind into the professional that I want to be is difficult. I want to focus on the future, but at the same time I want to be present. There is a balance between chasing the future and loving the present. Be willing to accept the changes that come with these new seasons in life, and don’t forget to love each step of the process!