Youthful Life: X

The 20s are all about connecting with people. As human beings we fundamentally yearn to be in community with one another. The only thing worse than death for us as a species is to be disconnected from another. This of the purpose of solitary confinement or even the Catholic church when excommunication was a thing. Being away from others does something so potently dastardly like nothing else on this Earth can. We strive to live for ourselves but in doing so we find ourselves living for other people. You want to know what life is all about ... I say, connections. It's all I ever need. "You can't forgive without loving. And I don't mean sentimentality. I don't mean mush. I mean having enough courage to stand up and say, 'I forgive. I'm finished with it." Maya Angelou - a true warrior with words may her legacy live on, her words reign true for generations to come and may she rest in peace.  Remember when I said I was going to actually catch up wha

The 20s are all about moving on with your life. As every year comes to an end we have to say goodbye to some of the people in our lives for a variety of reasons. People go home, people graduate, people get jobs - people just MOVE. Commencement season is a tricky thing (every news feed you subscribe to is filled with nothing more than cap and gowns, cords and stoles) with an accompanying mixed bag of emotions. No matter where you are in your life or in your college experience, moving means something. It can be all fancied up or super plain and simple. Either way it comes with it's own pomp and circumstance. College graduation ceremonies are truly impressive feats. The fact that you've made it through this level of education is cause for celebration (it's a struggle and a half, let's be real) but the ceremony in and of itself must be like Kristin Chenoworth in 12 Men of Christmas (Lifetime movies had me like ...) in the finicky details to be coordinated. All the de

The 20s are all about growing up. College is such a weird place because it serves as a microcosm of a sheltered version of the world. It's a unique place where the majority of people share your age group and have the same purpose (hopefully) in pursuing a degree. It has it's merits in that challenges you to face some of your biggest fears but also holds you back and perpetuates some unsustainable behaviors and ideals that can be dastardly if they continue into your post-grad years (binge drinking, promiscuity, drugs, procrastination and all the other vices that are so totally college). College is a place to mature and move on when (actually if) you are ever ready. Until then we're just stuck in the middle.   One of the things I've struggled with throughout the entirety of my college experience is authenticity, and not my usual melodramatic "who am I" spiel but feigning naivety for the benefit of others. I've definitely had to question whether I've

The 20s are all about taking a break from life. Finishing another year of school has this ambiguous feeling. You're happy you're done with having to work like a madman for a little bit but with separation means you're entire lifestyle changes for the summer. Some people get jobs, others find internships, and others still hang out, travel, or relax doing absolutely nothing. Each and everything has its merits and its flaws but summer is whatever you make of it. As long as you enjoy yourself and get what you need out of it, it's all up to you. Make it memorable, make it count, make it something great. Finally , after many a blog post I'm catching up with the digital retelling of my collegiate life with the real time of things when and how they happen. So let me bring you up to speed with the haps. Saturday was the definition of a lazy day that was long overdue and well deserved (I'm pretty sure everyone ever would agree). I slept until noon and it was oh so very