This morning, I woke up to a text from my boyfriend that affected me more than he intended it to. It was the best way to start my day, a simple reminder of what is really important. It read, "be happy, life is great, enjoy it." This was such a simple sentence comprised of even simpler words, but they poured a whole new sense of life into me. These are not words I regularly live by, and I’m assuming not many people can say they do. Being a college student, stress is not a temporary feeling; it is a way of life. It becomes easier to succumb to worry and anxiety than to just let yourself be happy.
I used to go through my days constantly stressed, to the point where it consumed my every thought and action. It wasn't until this year, my senior year of college, that I realized how much life I have missed out on...already. I am just now noticing that I've let the last 9 or 10 years go to stress and anxiety, all over things like project deadlines, friendships, or work, all issues that have worked themselves out.
Along the way, I've forgotten what was most important: me. I was going through the motions of life without an ounce of appreciation, wonder, or enthusiasm. This year, it's as if someone screamed, "You're missing the point!" As cliche as it sounds, life is so much more than what you've got planned on your schedule for the day; you just can't really live like that.
It's a scary thought, that we may not be given another day, but it's one that can give us more life if we use it the right way. I encourage you, in the midst of all the worry, remind yourself of what you have been blessed with and begin to appreciate it. It's easy to take those things for granted, but that is when you start to take life for granted. Look around, take a breath, and enjoy your present. I don’t have to tell you that you only get one life, but everyone needs a reminder to value it from time to time. I challenge you to really hear these words and live by them. Always remember to, "be happy because life is great, so enjoy it."
