By the time this article hits social media, I will have officially become 20 years old. 20. For the first time, my age will have a two in the 10's place. I've already reached adulthood, yet, I don't truly feel like an adult quite yet. There are still many things that I depend on my parents for. Yet, being at college has given me a sense of independence. As I grow closer to truly being an independent adult, I've begun to reflect on my life so far, and what I'm grateful for, what I'd change, and what I look forward to in the years to come.
What I'm grateful for:
I am grateful for my family. They have always been there for me whenever I have needed them. They've helped me through academics, through my surgeries, and pretty much through my entire life. I would have not been able to navigate life if it wasn't for my family. I am the man I am today mainly because of the values instilled by my family. They are the ones who have shaped my life the most and are the ones who have helped me survive these past 20 years. I am also grateful for my friends. They have picked me up when I was down. They've given me some of the best memories of my life. Each of them has given me a new way of thinking about the world. I am grateful for every single one of them, even the ones that I have not spoken to in over a year. I am also grateful for my teachers. Each of them has opened my mind to a new perspective and helped me see the world in a different light. They've challenged me to think critically about the world. Even the ones who I was not a big fan of have helped educate me and expand my knowledge base, and that is what I am most grateful for.
What I wish I could change:
In the grand scale of life, 20 years is not a long time. And it is certainly not a time to have many regrets. The 20's are often a time when people start to form the major regrets, but there are still a few things I wish I could change about my life. I wish I had never quit the piano. When I was younger, I couldn't manage playing both the piano and the saxophone, so I decided to stick to the one I enjoyed more. Now, if I had to go back and still choose only one, I would always choose the sax, but I wish I could've made time for both. I also regret quitting karate. I couldn't fit it into my schedule with marching band. Again, I would always choose marching band, but I wish I could've found a way to manage it. At least now, I have restarted it, but I lost about 4 years of practice. However, my biggest regret is not putting in enough effort into my academics. I did put forth quite a bit effort, but I know that I could've worked a lot harder, and performed a lot better.
What I look forward to:
It has only been 20 years. I still have a lot of life left to live, and there are many things that I look forward to. I look forward to the rest of my years at IWU. Freshman year was a blast and sophomore year is shaping up to be even better. I know that I am going to enjoy the rest of my time on campus. I am also looking forward to law school. After I graduate, I want to go to law school. I want to live out the dream I've had ever since I first read To Kill A Mockingbird. To follow in the footsteps of Atticus Finch and become a lawyer, to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. I also look forward to eventually starting my own family, finding a career and settling down, but all of that has to come after I finish my immediate goals. But I still look forward to the day it'll happen.
20 years of Arjun have come and gone. They've been a good 20 years. But life is never smooth; it's rocky and it's bumpy. Here's to the 20 years of rocks and bumps, and all the ones I'll experience in the future.
