"Keep your face always towards the sunshine and the shadow will fall behind you" -Walt Whitman | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

"Keep your face always towards the sunshine and the shadow will fall behind you" -Walt Whitman

It's hard to always look into the sun.

1008
"Keep your face always towards the sunshine and the shadow will fall behind you" -Walt Whitman
Pexels

Over the past week I've been on a rollercoaster of emotions. I don't show it, but I'm a pretty sensitive person. The anxiety of the upcoming change of going back to school has made me a wreck. It is true I am beyond excited to go back for so many reasons listed in my other article 7 Reasons I Literally Can't Wait To Go Back To Houghton College. The problem also isn't not wanting to leave home. I love my family, but I need my own space. I think what is causing my anxiety is the fear of change. I had such a great freshman year, and I'm afraid this year won't live up to that.

I was on Pinterest.com looking through pieces of poems and quotes by distinctive authors. I love Walt Whitman, and one quote I saw from him was "Keep your face always towards the sunshine and the shadow will fall behind you". This really struck me because I tend to focus on the negative aspects in life. I have decided to find the sunshine and turn away from my shadows.

I was on the softball team for the first half of the season at Houghton. That gave me quality time with some of the best people I could have possibly met. I am going to miss not practicing with them everyday, but I still gained great friendships out of the program and cannot wait to create greater bonds with these people.

Last semester I had a room to myself. Now I am switching dorms and will have two roommates. I love them both dearly, but I have to remember that even when I'm in the worst of moods, I can't get annoyed over every little quirk, because I have quirks of my own too. I have to learn how to live with people and I'm up for any learning experience!

18 credits, does that seem like a lot? Yes, yes it does, but I know that I can do it. I have the confidence in my abilities. Plus one credit is a trip to Germany. I've wanted to go to Germany ever since I knew what it was!

If I do complete all 18 credits, I will be a Junior by the spring semester. That means I have to declare a major a semester sooner than I thought. I know I want to major in history, but do I also want to major in humanities? Or should I double major with English, or writing? What about just a minor? There are so many options, but I just need to talk to my advisor and spend some time in prayer about the situation and it will all turn out.

I've already mentioned that I made great friendships last year, but now I am going back knowing that one of my dearest friends will not be returning. Social media is great though. I can keep up with her, and she is going to a school which is better for her major, so I'm happy for her. Now I'm worried other friends will leave, but I have to remember a true friend never leaves.

It's hard to look at the bright side of things all of the time. Everything can bring you down, even music and books which I know a lot of people go to for solace. Maybe I shouldn't be reading Les Misérables? My point is, try to look on the brighter side, even if it is just for a day.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

643214
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

537983
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments