It puts you down before you know it.
It's gone and you're dead again.
I've been in places and I won't pretend.
That I make it, I just follow my head.
ASHLEY, COMMANDING OFFICER.
...went to Josh's high school commencement exercises today. It was weird going to a White Knoll High School graduation so long after graduating myself. The speeches are not more interesting (unless you count references to Lil Wayne and Justin Bieber) and are just as long and boring. They still call out every single solitary name. They still throw hats. Half the student body, cannot find said hats and still...wander around looking for them like chickens with their heads cut off.
I remember when I was 17. God I was so excited to get on with my life. I knew there were bigger, better things waiting for me to do and experience. I couldn't wait to go to college, I couldn't wait to be apart of that. It was such an ambitious and awesome feeling, graduating high school. Raw eagerness. Utter excitement. Insane desperation. I saw those exact feelings on some of those graduates faces today, I can't help but to be excited for them. I honestly hope they all go on to accomplish great things.
Looking back on things now, high school seems like such a minor accomplishment. When you're that age, however, it seems to be the only thing that matters. So I have some words of advice for you newbies.
Here goes:
1. Keep your head up. Life gives you lemons, it's a fact. What matters is what you do with those lemons, either you'll take them and make lemonade (or adult beverage) or you'll suck on one and make that squinty face your whole life. Squinty faces are not appealing, and if you make them long enough...you'll be stuck like that. It's true.
2. Never stop learning. Never. Stop. Learning. Life is meaningless without a hunger for knowledge. Make it your passion.
3. Travel. God made an entire planet for you to acquaint yourself with. One of my biggest regrets thus far, has been my lack of seeing the world.
4. Don't sweat the small stuff. Seriously. Your entire life can be wasted on stress. Trust me. I used to have nightly panic attacks in college. Then, over time, I've learned...somethings just don't get solved by worrying about them. Let it go. Just let it go. Easier said than done, and it'll always be something you work on.
5. Love to the fullest. Live your life to the fullest. Don't be afraid to make mistakes.
I'll leave it at 5 for now.
Also, I just thought I should mention what I admire most about Josh. If ever you read this Josh just know that your calm and collected demeanor is awesome. While eating lunch with you this afternoon I noticed that you are wise beyond your years. You don't let drama unearth you, you don't seem to care/mind when "the boys" are messing with you. I admire the fact that I've never heard you say a spiteful word against anyone behind their back. You've got awesome potential and I hope you use that to its fullest potential. Good luck in your future endeavors.
Well, that about does it for this blog. I'll leave ya'll with some of my favorite shots of the day.
30 DAY PHOTO CHALLENGE
Day 18
(your biggest insecurity)
I can't really post a picture of my biggest insecurity.
It's failure.
Song of the Day
Helena Beat by Foster the People
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