Waiting In Life

Have you ever had to wait for anything? A childhood toy that you had to save up for, or maybe a driver’s license that your parents wouldn’t let you get? Or was it a present waiting under the Christmas tree? Waiting can be hard.

      One person that I always think about when I hear complaints about waiting is my 4-year-old sister, Ellie. For instance, one day my mom had just left our house to run errands when Ellie discovered an eighth of a tomato sitting on our kitchen counter. When she asked me if she could have it, I told her ‘no’ because I was not sure how long it had been sitting there.  I thought that she would forget about it . But she didn’t and was determined to have it.

      During the entire half-hour my mom was gone, my sister probably asked me about fourteen times if she could have the tomato, and my answer every single time was ‘no’. So she waited and waited. Eventually, my mom got back in time to give it to her.

      Waiting for the good things in life isn’t easy, whether it is an eighth of a tomato or something more serious like a job or college acceptance. But it is important because it makes enjoyable things much more enjoyable and disappointing things much more disappointing. Both are really good and healthy life experiences.

      As a homeschooled high school student, you may want to skip out on the wait. For example, you may want to breeze through history class so that you can graduate and become a doctor or a math teacher. Or you might rush into a car dealership and buy the first, shiny Camaro that you see. But if you wait until you are a little older, then it will all be worth it. Growing up will come in its own time. You will be an adult for the rest of your life. Getting to that point is the best part.

Snow Melts

A few weeks ago we had a huge snowstorm. It was so big that there were days where the snow would freeze into ice, making it nearly impossible to back a car out of a driveway. Other days the snow was soft enough to make snowmen and have snowball fights.

One thing that I noticed during this time, was the different perspectives people had on the snow. Most children enjoyed every second while many adults or teenagers look at it as more of a pain.

When the snow first came, schools were delayed(except for homeschoolers), stores were empty and everyone had car trouble. Gradually, it left: and now it may seem like we missed out on some of the fun.

Something a little sad has happened to me recently. As a child, I loved going to the circus. Seeing the people in costumes walking around, getting on the terrifying roller coasters and eating junk food was fun. Now it seems more of a pain than fun. I would almost rather not go back, just because I don’t want to freak out every single time my four year old sister decides to play hide-and-seek in the crowd, or I accidentally agree to walk into a house of migraine making mirrors. My opinion on the circus was fun when I was younger, but it has now changed to complete stress.

When you think about it, life can be the exact same way. As children, we take it easy living every day stress-free and enjoying life as it comes. But soon enough, we grow up. And it’s no longer about snowmen. It’s about getting through the circus or backing the car out of the driveway hoping it will all end soon enough.

As high schoolers, let’s not miss out on the joys in life. Even if it comes in forms of clowns and snowstorms. Let’s enjoy the cold. Let’s enjoy the days off. And let’s have fun. Let’s live stress-free in this beautiful winter wonderland called life that God has given us. Because like the snow, it will quickly melt away.

This Year

Happy 2016 everyone! The other day I was listening to a song by J.J.Heller called ‘This Year’. The chorus goes,

“So long to last year, it’s all becoming so clear. There is no use living in regret.

Let’s fight a good fight. Train our eyes to find the light.

That makes this year the best one yet.

Starting right here, Happy New Year. Happy New Year.”

This started me thinking about New Year’s resolutions and how people continually try to make themselves better. It’s like we get a brand new start, and our mistakes from the past don’t matter anymore.

Now don’t get me wrong, this attitude is great. Devoting ourselves to be a better version of us is a really good way to approach the world from the beginning. But the question is, why don’t we act like this all year long? Does anyone remember their New Year’s Resolution from 2015? What about from 2014; or 2013, 2012 or 2011. Do you remember what you decided to be better at in 2010? If you do, then great! But chances are, you don’t.

Just like the Israelites, we are humans. We constantly forget the good things; and after a while, we go back to our regular, everyday routine of complaints. Shouldn’t we be looking for great opportunities to be better? Most people don’t stick to their resolutions and tend to forget what it was in the first place. There is a reason that you can’t remember 2010’s resolution.

But with hard work and devotion, it can be really easy to add ‘don’t be so easily offended’, ‘be kinder’, and ‘listen to others’ to our everyday lives.

As parents, students and yes… highschoolers, I challenge you all to be a better you. Don’t wait until 2017 to make your next resolution. Make it today. Turn your faults into your strengths. Live every day like it’s a chance to be someone new, because it is. I wish you all the best and a happy new year!