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Lessons You Learn Living For Someone Who Lost Their Life Too Soon

Remembering someone in everything that you do has an impact on your life in ways you can't expect.

Mary Marsh

Apr 02, 2019

Kansas State University

Lessons You Learn Living For Someone Who Lost Their Life Too Soon

Mary Marsh Photography

I hit the enroll button for the semester of Fall 2019. It is the beginning of the end. How could I be a senior already? I lean back in my chair to bask at the moment, I fantasize my future that was once a far off dream but will soon be a reality. Instinctively, I log onto Facebook and the first post I saw stopped me in my tracks.

A friend from high school made a birthday post about a friend who had been killed in a car accident when we were juniors in high school.

Like a swift kick in the gut, I remembered the day we found out she died. The entire town was overtaken by a cloud of disbelief and sadness. She was on the soccer team, had been in classes with me since Kindergarten and went to the same church as I did. It was a huge loss for my hometown and my class.

A loss like that never leaves a person, and when I came to college three years ago, I made a promise that I would live the college experience to the fullest. If she could not enjoy college, I would enjoy it double for her sake. It certainly has not been easy, Lord knows I have been tempted to quit. However, it was the memory of this friend that kept me going and pursuing my goals and dreams.

I learned four valuable lessons through this life mission that I think anybody could agree.

1. Stay moving.

I am not saying become a bodybuilder and get those #gainz, but you can always go for a little walk or take the stairs. You cannot be successful in the classroom if you do not feel good physically. Going to the gym is a great way to blow off steam, study your flashcards on the treadmill, and interact with other people, without having to say much. Being physically fit and active will make a world of difference in your classroom performance.

2. Seize your opportunities.

From a $20 concert to being an officer in a club or taking an interesting class, never pass up an opportunity to do something interesting.

3. Don't be afraid to try things alone.

Going to a workout class, club meeting, or school event alone can lead to making new friends. You will not be hiding behind the safety of an already formed relationship with somebody. I made one of my best friends at a club meeting where I knew nobody.

4. Do what makes you happy.

This one seems self-explanatory, but you would be surprised how hard this can be. You feel obligated to keep going or putting in effort when really it is becoming a major drain. Saying no is hard, but sometimes quitting for your personal sake can be even harder. If you are involved with something and it is not leading to overall happiness or fulfillment in your life, do not be afraid to say no and look for something that gives you more purpose. You have a lot to offer and you need to find an organization or activity that compliments and encourages you to be the best person you can be.

5. Actually try.

You are on Earth for a reason, find that reason and give it your 100% effort. It is not easy, it sometimes is not fun, but if what you are working on leads to a world of opportunities, you would be silly not to give it all you have. Do not be afraid to take a hard class because you will learn 10 times more than if you went with the easy route. Do not be afraid to pursue a harder option because that can make you more well rounded. The harder the work, the sweeter the success.

School- heck, life is not easy, but always remember to enjoy each day you are given because every new day is a gift. Live your life for those who never got the chance.

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

Lifestyle

Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

North Carolina State University

1209

Summer is hot and humid, and it's almost like summer was made specifically to drink the refreshing, cold, crisp wonderful, delicious, nutritious nectar of the gods. Which is none other than beer; wonderful cold beer. With summer playing peek-a-boo around the corner while we finish up this semester, it's time to discuss the only important part of summer. And if you haven't already guessed, it's beer. There are few things I take more seriously than my beer, in order are: sports... and beer. Here are my favorite summer brews:

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Lessons You Learn Living For Someone Who Lost Their Life Too Soon

Remembering someone in everything that you do has an impact on your life in ways you can't expect.

1. Stay moving.

2. Seize your opportunities.

3. Don't be afraid to try things alone.

4. Do what makes you happy.

5. Actually try.

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Appreciation for some of life's most discredited pleasures.

1. Sun showers

2. Smiles

3. Tight hugs

4. Discovering new foods you like.

5. Laying in bed after a long day.

6. And being completely relaxed

7. "This reminded me of you"

8. Breakfast foods

9. Over-sized clothes

10. Contagious laughs

11. Car rides with that one person

12. Random (I miss you/ I love you) texts

13. The city at night

14. Surprises

15. Blanket cocoons

16. Good hair days

17. Really good coffee

18. Days where you're in a good mood naturally and for no particular reason

19. Conquering a fear

20. When they give you a lot of guac at Chipotle

21. Being so comfortable with someone that you can literally talk about anything

22. Home-cooked meals

23. Tattoo stories

24. Leaves changing color in fall

25. Butterflies in your stomach

26. Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches

27. When you can't stop laughing

Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

Coors Light Summer Brew:

Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat

Want to know more about beer?

Sam Adams Summer Ale

Hell or High Watermelon

Blue Moon Summer Honey

LandShark Lager

Corona

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

Perfect Weather

You'll get an effortless tan

You can exercise with a view

You don't have to worry about bug bites

In n Out all day, every day

We have outdoor concerts

We live where people vacation

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

1. “Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside. It's where my demons hide.”

2. “Tonight, we are young.”

3. “Cuz I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it.”

4. “Tell me how they got that pretty little face on that pretty little frame.”

5. “I can’t wait to fall in love with you, you can’t wait to fall in love with me.”

6. “Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin with no makeup on.”

7. “Why you so obsessed with me?”

8. “We ain’t ever getting older.”

9. “I didn’t know that I was starving until I tasted you.”

10. “Didn’t they tell you I’m a savage?"

11. “I’m gonna make you miss me.”

12. "Cheers to the freakin weekend.”

13. “Love’s a game. Wanna play?”

14. “You don’t know about me, but I bet you want to.”

15. “Let’s set each other’s lonely nights, Be each other’s paradise.”

16. “Trippin’ on skies, sippin’ waterfalls."

17. “Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days.”

18. “But you will remember me for centuries.”

19. “Something about you makes me feel like a dangerous woman."

20. “Don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me.”

21. “Darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.”

22. “Find me where the wild things are.”

23. “I’m high on lovin’ you.”

24. “If you’re gonna be somebody’s heartbreak, somebody’s mistake, if you’re gonna be somebody’s first time, somebody’s last time, be mine.”

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1. "Talk about a dream
Try to make it real
You wake up in the night
With a fear so real
Spend your life waiting
For a moment that just don't come
Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)