Papers, presentations, finals- all reasons why the end of a college semester is the longest month ever. The schoolwork never seems to end--whereas the time in a day goes by all too quickly. I can remember thinking, on more than one occasion, that if it would just be tomorrow already, life would be a little bit easier. Of course, I end up wishing that almost every day around this time of year, and then I turn around and an entire month has gone by. Not only is that a startling realization, but so is the fact that I don't even remember anything that I did that was fun that month. I spent too much time worrying about school work and wishing for the next day to come around.
I probably shouldn't admit to it, but I have seen "Kung Fu Panda,” and perhaps the only take away I got from that movie is that "Today is a gift. That is why we call it the present." There are so many days that I spend looking to the future and forget to live in the moment. Then I get to the future and can't even enjoy what I was looking forward to because I am already looking forward to another day. It's a vicious cycle. Some days I wonder what life would be like if I tried to make every day a day I'm excited for. Instead of just using days to do homework and wish for another day, I could try and be happy. After all, I never really know what tomorrow will bring. It could be worse than today. I could die in my sleep (little extreme but go with it). If only I lived for today.
This past week I was feeling the weight of the assignments I had. A massive paper I didn't understand, a presentation to give, and other minor assignments all had me ready to tear my hair out. My friend asked me to go to Villanova with her to watch the championship game, and I initially said no. I was prepared to watch the game in the study lounge, while doing homework. I was so preoccupied with what needed to be done that I was turning down what could have been a once-in-a-life time chance. I eventually said yes and ended up having the time of my life. It was wonderful to just get off campus and surround myself with people who were full of excitement and pride for their school. The weight of my stress was gone for at least a few hours.
Now, going to watch a championship game isn't always an option, but it's just one way to get out and live. You can decide to go mini golfing. You can visit a place you've never been to before. You can decide to put down the school work or whatever else is stressful and just watch a little Netflix. Give yourself some joy. Each day is a blessing from God, and when we stress over everything and wish for tomorrow, we waste that gift. So take a chance! Do something you never thought you would. Cross an item off your bucket list. Just do something to make your day worth waking up for! Life isn't made out of tomorrows. Life is made out of todays, and the tiny moments of joy within each one. Make sure that when you look back, you smile because each day you did something to make you happy.
