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Are You Living Life The Right Way?

There may be no right answer.

Emma Morris

Mar 25, 2019

University of Virginia

111

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A video I watched recently by Alan Watts, titled "Why Your Life is Not a Journey," really opened my eyes. I realized I am living life the wrong way. The only way I can get through the day sometimes is to look forward to something. Spring break, the weekend, summer, whatever it may be. I often find myself caught up in the future neglecting to think about where I am right now. Right now is more important than the future. In Watts' video, he talks about how people are just moving in life towards a goal, but when they reach it, there is another one waiting.

With this mindset, you will never feel fulfilled. If you spend your whole life looking forward to something, you won't ever be living in the moment. You won't be able to enjoy life when you are so focused on a future goal/event. Goals can be good, and ambition can make you work harder, but the way to get the most out of life is to improve yourself in this moment. Watts' says life is like dancing: there is no destination, you are just enjoying the music and aimlessly moving to the beat.

Many people are too focused on a job, money, or success. Not enough people know how to truly enjoy life, not just when you reach those goals. Spending time in the present can be difficult with ambition always looking over your shoulder calling you to work harder. So focus on the music, and the dance itself. Don't look forward to the end of the song. Feel the song in the present, and enjoy the dance of life.

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

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Are You Living Life The Right Way?

There may be no right answer.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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