NOTE: Originally written November 2010
It’s hard to stay positive all the time. Unread econ chapters stack up next to case studies that you have yet to begin analyzing. Calculus conundrums make you woozy as group projects overload your schedule. It’s so easy to just throw up our arms in frustration. It’s so easy to complain that we didn’t get the 85% we were going for. It’s so easy to lose track of what’s actually going on in the world.
Our problems are trivial. I don’t wish to demean anyone in any way, but the majority of us have trivial issues. In the grand scheme of things, a failed midterm is nothing. I’m not saying that you should stop studying, that you should stop aspiring. Trust me, a failed midterm will crush me as much as the next person. However, I think we all need to take a little more time every day to soak in the good things in life. It might seem like our days are cram jam packed with work and stress, but there’s always a little bit of joy squished in there. Maybe it’s just laughing about a nerdy joke with your project team. Maybe it’s avoiding that huge puddle on your way to class. Maybe it’s listening to Beach House as you breathe and attempt to collect yourself by blogging. Whatever it is, every day holds joy. You just need to be able to recognize it.
It feels good to realize how lucky I am to be right here, right now, calm with a cup of tea, good indie music, and the steady rhythym of my keys. It feels wonderful to realize that we always have time to do the things we love. It’s just a matter of talking ourselves out of our stress and negativity. What’s the point of doing my Calculus homework when I’m distracted and tired? Rather fill the time with joy, writing in my case, and then dedicate a smaller fraction of time for true concentration. Yes, I have a million things that I could be doing right now. But for now, I’ll just hit replay on the same song and let myself soak in these minutes of freedom.
I’m lucky that I’m receiving an education. I’m lucky that my hard work in the past is allowing me to pay for this privilege. I’m lucky that I’ve acquired a vocabulary that allows me to adequately express my gratitude. I’m lucky in so many ways and yet, I catch myself spilling negative phrases day in and day out.
We need to stop this. We need to believe. We need to be positive, to accept that we are capable, if only we stop constructing these mental barriers. We can acheive what we want; we can live freer, happier, and more successful lives if only we think it and will it. Good things happen to people who believe. It’s not some magic voodoo like they try to tell us. It’s the fact that when you’re positive, you’re more energized and able to work towards your goals.
Never forget that there’s always time to do what you love. There’s always time, no matter how many deadlines you have. If you love something, let yourself do it. It’s the only way to stay positive. Negativity breeds failure; positivity fosters success.
I know that every time I write, I’m a little bit happier and a little bit more capable of achieving my goals. So, if you’ve made it this far (hopefully I’ve managed to hold someone’s attention), consider taking up a challenge. Whether you love drawing, playing guitar, reading novels, cooking, dancing, solving math problems, just do it! You’ll be amazed how great you feel when you let yourself love life for a few minutes every day.
It’s hard to stay positive all the time. Unread econ chapters stack up next to case studies that you have yet to begin analyzing. Calculus conundrums make you woozy as group projects overload your schedule. It’s so easy to just throw up our arms in frustration. It’s so easy to complain that we didn’t get the 85% we were going for. It’s so easy to lose track of what’s actually going on in the world.
Our problems are trivial. I don’t wish to demean anyone in any way, but the majority of us have trivial issues. In the grand scheme of things, a failed midterm is nothing. I’m not saying that you should stop studying, that you should stop aspiring. Trust me, a failed midterm will crush me as much as the next person. However, I think we all need to take a little more time every day to soak in the good things in life. It might seem like our days are cram jam packed with work and stress, but there’s always a little bit of joy squished in there. Maybe it’s just laughing about a nerdy joke with your project team. Maybe it’s avoiding that huge puddle on your way to class. Maybe it’s listening to Beach House as you breathe and attempt to collect yourself by blogging. Whatever it is, every day holds joy. You just need to be able to recognize it.
It feels good to realize how lucky I am to be right here, right now, calm with a cup of tea, good indie music, and the steady rhythym of my keys. It feels wonderful to realize that we always have time to do the things we love. It’s just a matter of talking ourselves out of our stress and negativity. What’s the point of doing my Calculus homework when I’m distracted and tired? Rather fill the time with joy, writing in my case, and then dedicate a smaller fraction of time for true concentration. Yes, I have a million things that I could be doing right now. But for now, I’ll just hit replay on the same song and let myself soak in these minutes of freedom.
I’m lucky that I’m receiving an education. I’m lucky that my hard work in the past is allowing me to pay for this privilege. I’m lucky that I’ve acquired a vocabulary that allows me to adequately express my gratitude. I’m lucky in so many ways and yet, I catch myself spilling negative phrases day in and day out.
We need to stop this. We need to believe. We need to be positive, to accept that we are capable, if only we stop constructing these mental barriers. We can acheive what we want; we can live freer, happier, and more successful lives if only we think it and will it. Good things happen to people who believe. It’s not some magic voodoo like they try to tell us. It’s the fact that when you’re positive, you’re more energized and able to work towards your goals.
Never forget that there’s always time to do what you love. There’s always time, no matter how many deadlines you have. If you love something, let yourself do it. It’s the only way to stay positive. Negativity breeds failure; positivity fosters success.
I know that every time I write, I’m a little bit happier and a little bit more capable of achieving my goals. So, if you’ve made it this far (hopefully I’ve managed to hold someone’s attention), consider taking up a challenge. Whether you love drawing, playing guitar, reading novels, cooking, dancing, solving math problems, just do it! You’ll be amazed how great you feel when you let yourself love life for a few minutes every day.
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