Graduation Thoughts

“We ARE rich,” said Anne staunchly. “Why, we have sixteen years to our credit, and we’re happy as queens, and we’ve all got imaginations, more or less. Look at that sea, girls—all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen.” 

Let me tell you something. This quote is everything. Never have I felt something that so perfectly mirrors what I feel about looking back on high school. 

High school has been hard but it’s like any time period of your life. You take it: for the good and the bad. 

If I had any regrets in my high school experience, it would probably be the very thing that this quote seems to express. 

I wish I had spent less Monday’s wishing it were Friday. I wish it didn’t take me this long to figure out that I’m happy as a queen. 

But better now then never.  But I guess that’s just how life works. Especially when you have eighteen years to your credit. You finally realize how rich you are. And knowing this makes facing the uncertain future all the easier. 

Snapshot: The Third Week of October

It’s the third week in October. My and my friends are in a park. The leaves on the trees are a fireworks-like display of red and orange hues, soon sent spiraling and tumbling through the air. The air has a distinct chill but it’s warm in Golden sunshine. Me and my friends walk the trails, sometimes talking, sometimes silent, listening to the crunch of leaves underfoot. 

Now we’re under the pavilion sitting at a picnic table covered in a red and white checkered table cloth that I brought. We pass a cinnamon flavored coke around as we talk about silly and stupid things. Life is good. 

Just a thought…

You might have heard  that courage isn’t the absence of fear, 

But knowing something is worth doing despite it.

But have you heard… 

that confidence isn’t the absence of insecurity, 

but knowing your worth it despite them?

Have you heard that happiness isn’t the absence of bad things, 

but knowing life has beautiful parts regardless?

Or that being powerful and strong,

Isn’t about exerting one’s strength but knowing when to hold back and let things go. 

Have you heard that love isn’t about the person’s lack of imperfections,

But caring about someone so deeply despite their flaws?

How about that forgiveness doesn’t mean you’re not hurting anymore,

But being willing accept their apology and love them despite that?

Or that being successful, 

Or being a winner,

Isn’t about never failing,

But picking oneself up again and again in spite of having failed?

Or that true wisdom isn’t being enlightened or educated,

But is found in knowing that there is so much that you don’t know. 

Have you heard kindness isn’t the absence of unkind thoughts

Or even frustrations,

But choosing to be gentle and patient anyway?

Because all heroes are capable of being villains but instead chose not to be.