The Unmentioned

Thanks for your words of encouragement, Neha. I'm glad that you're here with us in the States, even if you prefer India; I admit that not all aspects of our American culture and lifestyles are appealing (not even to Americans themselves, sometimes), but our country has plenty of good things to offer, too, and I hope that you get to experience them all at some point. You constantly impress me with your wisdom, and I always appreciate your words.

Karissa, I know exactly what you mean about making a few too many observations; sometimes it feels like all I do is watch other people living their lives, as opposed to living my own. I've never been very good at being spontaneous and expressing myself with actions rather than just words, but thanks to friends like you and the others who have commented here, I'm starting to break down my old barriers. I look forward to tomorrow, almost everyday, now.

Live, indeed, live while you can. Everyone has written great things here, and I could repeat what they've said, but I'll add a personal touch. Chris, you have got to take the path that you've been plotting for yourself and actually make it personal. Live, like Neha has said, before you're too old for things or don't have time.

You're very good at making observations of things around you--great for a writer, horrible for someone that indulges themselves in the spontaneous. I should know because I do the same thing. Let go once in awhile and allow yourself to be taken to the places life wants you--that gravity you spoke of: in my opinion that is God at work.

The silly bumper sticker that says "God is my Co-pilot" always makes me angry because if you're really letting God's hands into your life, God has to be your Pilot.

Even though you might not see the bends in the path set before you, don't think they don't exist. When you get to them, however, it is my belief that you will be prepared for them. God won't test you beyond what he has prepared you for, and he won't let you fail by His standards. Just put your trust where you can't go wrong :-)

When I first moved to CT, all I wanted to do was run away, and lord, did I try. I worked 70 hours a week, saved up as much as I could, went back to India to try and enroll in a school I wanted to go to, just so I could get away from where I didn't want to be, in a country where I didn't know what on earth I was doing. But look what happened.

Somethings are bigger than the rest of us, Chris. Sometimes we can't really look beyond the immediate and now because we're trapped in the center. I still don't see what on earth I'm doing in the States, but I did learn that I can't step out of what I have on my plate. All a person can do is fight the good fight, as they say, because sometimes its not up to us to know the meaning behind all our actions.

Moira's right -- there's an entire world out there to see and a life that has to be lived. You'll figure things out, even if in retrospect. Just try and slow down a little.

(( I guess that's part of the challenge of maturing into adulthood; you have to learn to admire and appreciate the future as it blossoms and grows, and allow yourself to walk in several directions at once for a bit, until you find the one path that is right for you. ))

I think you've hit the proverbial nail on the head with that one, Chris. You've got to explore the world a bit before you can really figure out what you want to get out of it. ;c) You'll be fine.

At least you let yourself have the option of options. Some people blindly do what they have always done and accept mediocrity.

You are sticking yourself out there now, trying on different suits, and that is a great thing. You'll find your calling, Chris, or it'll find you, and you'll know it is right because you know what is there. You will make the decisions--not your fears.

Thanks for your continued support, Dr. Jerz. I appreciate your guidance more than you know.

Moira, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one my age who is thinking about this sort of thing.

Lately, I've been feeling like my life has been put on hold, like I have stopped moving towards that destination we both mentioned. I suppose I'm just anxious; I have so many plans for the future that I want to start working on right now, but I can't seem to take that first step. I don't know why, but I keep hesitating... And it's really frustrating, you know? I want to make some changes, but I feel so overwhelmed; it's as if I'm staring at the possibilities in awe, and I can't shake it long enough to keep walking. I can't make up my mind; I can't decide what to do first. I guess that's part of the challenge of maturing into adulthood; you have to learn to admire and appreciate the future as it blossoms and grows, and allow yourself to walk in several directions at once for a bit, until you find the one path that is right for you.

Enjoy the ride, Chris! You'll do fine.

Chris - this is a very insightful and way cool entry. I do think that usually what scares you the most is what will grant you the most benefits in the long run. Stepping into your life, your actual life, the one that happens after high school, after you reach adulthood, is a damn scary thing... but it's absolutely necessary.

I think I understand exactly what you are saying with this entry - I feel pretty much the same about my life at this point - I'm being pulled somewhere.. I don't know where I'm going or why or what I'll be like when I get there, but I know that I've got to do what needs to be done in order to make sure it happens.

Neat. ;c)