We have all heard it. Some of the most famous words. They come from moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, older friends, siblings, teachers, and everyone in between.
"Time flies."
"It won't be long before..."
"That will be here before you know it."
Everyone's next chapter is different, but we all have one thing in common. We can see it coming from a mile away, and we aren't able to ignore it. It's coming around the corner, and it is not obeying the speed limit. The truth is, if you're anything like me, you are insanely excited for your next step.
The future is fun to anticipate. The enthusiasm, however, comes with nervousness. Reluctance to move on. Fear of what happens next. The realization that everything seems to be hanging in the balance of the decisions we make right now.
I'm envious of the people who can move on without any resistance, although I guess hesitancy to move on comes from a good foundation. It's hard to prepare for change when what's going on right now feels fine. We seem to attach ourselves to comfort, but just when we think we could stay like this forever, time decides to keep marching forward. Life hits us.
Ah, change. The thing that everyone dreads and simultaneously looks forwards to. In my opinion, change is one of the most controversial aspects of our lives. Sometimes we love it, sometimes we hate it. As new doors open up and we leave our old endeavors in the past, I hope we can all find comfort in our identities.
The only way to properly come to terms with change is to be secure in the One that holds our futures. Whether your next chapter is senior year, a new job, college, moving on from a breakup, or even moving to a new place, it's all part of a bigger plan. Don't let the anxiety for your next season prevent you from enthusiastically anticipating it. Come to terms with the fact that everything does not always have to be figured out, and things will always change.
Even if it seems like moving on to the next chapter is going to be catastrophic, it will be okay. Just think, there was a time when you were nervous to step into the exact place that you feel so comfortable in now. Comfort can turn in to complacency, so don"t be afraid of what's next. This is just another stepping stone along the way. As much as I wish we could all wake up and have the exact life we've had planned out since we were 12, that'll never happen. Learn to live in the moment and recognize when that moment is up. Here's to looking forward to our next season. I hope yours is as fulfilling as it can possibly be.
