So there I sat, 11:05 AM, in the campus library, pleading with the computer to hurry up and connect, as I was already running five minutes late to class and the computer/printer seemed determined to make sure I was later. It was certainly not my day. I had stayed up late the night before working on homework, had a terrible cold, was frustrated with the computer and printer, and was dreading walking into class late and embarrassing myself. I suddenly felt my face get hot, and tears of self pity and frustration began welling up in my eyes. "Of coarse this would happen to me. Of all days." I said to myself. But then, I remembered something my younger sister had told awhile back that I reflect on whenever I get overwhelmed, "Chill out man, it's just life."
Prior to this quote, my sister Grace had come home from school, flustered about the petty dramas that seem to consistently plague the high school, and said to me, "I just don't understand why people get so stressed out about silly, little, insignificant things. I mean seriously. Chill out man, it's just life."
I'm sure Grace doesn't know it, but this quote of hers has had a great impact on my life. She's completely right. In the grand scheme of things, our small daily struggles are pretty meek in comparison to the beautiful and rich life we live. Of course, bad things happen sometimes. But if you really think about it, most of our problems like drama, or the computer not working, are pretty insignificant. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people complain about things they can't change. OR when they complain about things they can change, but are unwilling to. I am a firm believer in the power of a positive attitude. If you can't change something, change your attitude about it. If you can change something, do it! So whenever I catch myself complaining about my problems I think to myself: It's just life. It happens to everyone. Some things I can't control, but I can't let that ruin my day.
So as I sat in the campus library fighting back tears, I took a deep breath and realized, "It's just life." Everyone is unintentionally late to class sometimes. Stuff happens. But it's noting to cry over, it's just life. Sure being sick sucks, but I can't change that. So I can either mope around and complain, or deal with it and realize, it's just life. And yes, everyone has those days where it feels like the world has turned on you, and no matter how hard you try you just can't catch a break. But hey, that's just life. And life is too short and beautiful to waste a single day of it complaining.
