1. Rest is important.
Over the break, I felt like I slept way too much. I felt lazy, unproductive and useless. Yet, I think that is the sign of a good break. I would have liked to read more, but in retrospect, I think that it was to my benefit to just close my eyes and rest. Stressing about finals is pretty hard to do when you are asleep! That doesn’t mean that I’m forgetting about them, just taking a break from remembering them. It helps to know that this rest has served as a “recharge” in preparation for the next couple of weeks. So if you are stressing about finals too, take a nap. It’s good for the soul!
2. School is important.
While forgetting about school for a week can be nice, I came to the conclusion that blocking the problems out of my mind won’t make them go away. I still have a list (much like this article) keeping me accountable to what needs to be done over the next few days. These are the most crucial hours of studying that will take place this semester; I cannot forget that. In fact, the break gave me a chance to evaluate my current situation, consider options moving into next semester, and synthesize some of the thoughts I have had over the semester. Quite a nice time, if you ask me. In this process, I also rekindled my desire for education. It can be easy to slip into the slide of repetition … sleep, eat, class, work, class, crying, ping-pong, sleep, eat, Netflix, homework, crying, sleep. Taking a break from all that — save Netflix and sleep — aided my excitement of the return to the cycle, with a refreshed mindset and a belly full of turkey.
3. Friends are important.
So far I have met lots of new people this year; I have made friends with many of them, family with few. We have done lots of things together, as good friends do. Yet I have never had an experience quite like the one I had this week with some of my best friends from high school. Coming home for the first time in months and seeing those who share the same story as me, just in different places and different lives, had a rather interesting effect on my soul. I've rarely had time to keep up with them during the school year, but catching up for just a few moments made all the difference. With one, I shot at some birds (shot the breeze too), with another I stayed the night, one I played catch with, one I shared some fries with, but with all I had a conversation. Some, I didn’t connect with, but that’s what time is for. I have never had a feeling like this before, so my articulation isn’t all that great yet — I hope it will become clearer later.
4. Family is important.
This one sounds like an obvious statement, but to me it became clearer after a week off school. As students, we tend to focus on classes, friends and eating. At home, I got the chance to focus on my family for a while. I haven’t called or written letters nearly as much as I would have liked to, so one of my goals for this next semester is to do just that. This Thanksgiving was rather historic for the Idaho-clan because it marks the first time that we have all been together at my grandparent’s house, ever. All of the cousins, including myself, ended up digging into the old toy box that entertained us as children — probably one of the most nostalgic moments of my life. Not only did I get to play with some awesome toys, I got to do it with the family. In addition, I spent much time with my younger siblings as well and loved every minute. I am excited for the next chance I get to see my family again!
5. Leaving home is important.
This one seems a bit different than the aforementioned, but it is the most important in respect to all of them. Often I wonder, “Why can’t I just stay?” It would feel nice to be in the comfort of my own home for a while. I’ve realized now that this is not the case. I believe the saying goes, “You don’t know what you have until you lose it.” While in a literal sense I am not losing my home, I still do lose the feelings of comfort and hospitality in my quest back to school. To me, while it is different for all of us, I find the most value in my friends and family after being away for a time. The longest I have ever been away from home preceding my departure to George Fox was only three weeks during the summer. I have surpassed that record five times over now. Yet somehow, my longing for home has not increased with my absence from home. Rather, I have grown to realize that I must leave, so that I may return. Hard as it may be, I must go so that I can better appreciate what I have to give thanks for. It is in my next homecoming that I will start to feel the comfort and love of home as it were, but until then I wait, patient yet expectant for what I might learn of myself again.
