A. reMINDer

Now listening to: Small Leaks Sink Ships
(How fancy! A link to what I'm listening to!)

I remember being a measly eighteen-year-old kid. (Yes, all eighteen-year-olds are measly kids.) I thought I was the bee's knees (I have no idea what that means). I recall a specific philosophy class during my freshman year, where the students had an argument with two sides: freshmen point of view versus upper-classmen point of view. At the end of class an upper-classmen approached me and my friend and said, "I see how you guys think you're right. I was once like that too, but it will change after your freshman year."

Why the hell would anyone say that? That is so pious and snobby to say to someone. It basically translate to: "I understand you want to be passionate about things you think you know are right, but when you get older, you will lose passion for specific things and just agree with everyone." At least, that's how I translated it. I also translated it: "Stupid Freshmen," but for the sake of the commentator, I will try to assume he meant well.

It made the phrase, "Let's just agree to disagree," one of the most hated phrases I know.

I don't think that certain upper-classman realizes how much he affected my life by his statement.

When life goes on and I get lazy, I always think to myself, "Don't grow old and become a statistical pattern of giving up. That's what the system wants."

I don't think growing old is bad. I look forward to it. I just don't think growing old should be a statistical process.

And, I don't really know what the system is fully, but I know what the system wants.

Failure.

I don't know what is considered failure and what isn't, because sometimes failure is better than not trying to live out what you deem necessary and honoring. I think of failure is more of a long-term thing where you get to the pearly gates and you just think, "Why didn't I live like I had life?"

This is not as easy as it seems. Life has its responsibilities. Sometimes they are financial responsibilities (most of the time, if you're an American), sometimes they are relational responsibilities, sometimes they are social/ethical responsibilities, and sometimes they are responsibilities of the heart or from God (Good luck discerning those). Responsibilities can really suck the fun out of life, but they also have the possibility to be the diamonds in the rough. It's all how it's viewed. And, sometimes you need to just give responsibilities the finger and live. (Good luck discerning those)

But, I'm sure you know all of this.

This is just a reminder,
for myself,
and you...
if you need it.

shalom.