State of the Mind Address
So I updated my Myspace page, and it sort of got the creative juices flowing. Here's what I wrote in the 'About Me" section:
So I realized that it's been quite some time since I have updated my profile and that it needed a refresher. Since I last created my profile (about a year ago), a lot of things have changed. Some of these things have been rather disappointing, but others have been so incredible that I cannot begin to describe them. But the bottom line is that they all have, through various means, reinforced what I thought to be most important to me: my family, my friends, my faith, the Marine Corps, and Racing/Cars. It's a rather reassuring feeling to know that maybe I have already (at a rather young age) found the things in life that make life so uniquely special to ME. And there are certain things that I would love to have and experience now, but I am super content to wait with the knowledge that I think some pretty awesome and incredible things await me and will all come in due time. Until then, I'm enjoying the ride.
So that's where I stand in a nutshell. I'm not entirely sure where this feeling of total confidence came from- I would hazard a guess that it stems from my strengthened faith in God and His will, and coming off of a Christmas break where I realized (again) what a great family I have. Whatever the case, it couldn't have come at a better time; as my time at FSU draws to a close and the Marine Corps life begins to draw nearer, it has at times seemed like I'm not entirely sure what I'm getting myself into. And yes, the feeling still arises now and again but, as it just occured to me now, when will it not? How could you ever be completely sure of everything that is to come as a result of one of your decisions? As I've learned thus far, NOTHING in life is going to come with any sort of guarantee; in fact, some of the things that you were once so sure of often turn out to be the things that depart farther from your imagined plan than you ever thought possible.
There is this band called Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and, in one of their songs, there is a voice-over which has a conversation between to surfer-bums and one of them says: "We've got a radical future infront of us bro, I'm so stoked". Everytime I hear that I get chills because, informal language aside, that's exactly how I feel.
And in regards to those disappointing things that I mentioned earlier... they've made me what I am right now, and I couldn't be happier with that.
So I realized that it's been quite some time since I have updated my profile and that it needed a refresher. Since I last created my profile (about a year ago), a lot of things have changed. Some of these things have been rather disappointing, but others have been so incredible that I cannot begin to describe them. But the bottom line is that they all have, through various means, reinforced what I thought to be most important to me: my family, my friends, my faith, the Marine Corps, and Racing/Cars. It's a rather reassuring feeling to know that maybe I have already (at a rather young age) found the things in life that make life so uniquely special to ME. And there are certain things that I would love to have and experience now, but I am super content to wait with the knowledge that I think some pretty awesome and incredible things await me and will all come in due time. Until then, I'm enjoying the ride.
So that's where I stand in a nutshell. I'm not entirely sure where this feeling of total confidence came from- I would hazard a guess that it stems from my strengthened faith in God and His will, and coming off of a Christmas break where I realized (again) what a great family I have. Whatever the case, it couldn't have come at a better time; as my time at FSU draws to a close and the Marine Corps life begins to draw nearer, it has at times seemed like I'm not entirely sure what I'm getting myself into. And yes, the feeling still arises now and again but, as it just occured to me now, when will it not? How could you ever be completely sure of everything that is to come as a result of one of your decisions? As I've learned thus far, NOTHING in life is going to come with any sort of guarantee; in fact, some of the things that you were once so sure of often turn out to be the things that depart farther from your imagined plan than you ever thought possible.
There is this band called Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and, in one of their songs, there is a voice-over which has a conversation between to surfer-bums and one of them says: "We've got a radical future infront of us bro, I'm so stoked". Everytime I hear that I get chills because, informal language aside, that's exactly how I feel.
And in regards to those disappointing things that I mentioned earlier... they've made me what I am right now, and I couldn't be happier with that.
posted by Stephen at 10:25 PM
4 Comments:
and not care...it's a struggle sometimes but I can recall being about 14, sitting with Jess in the Sherring Way kitchen & deciding I NEVER wanted to settle. And knowing that little girl I was then, wanted that more than anything is a huge part of what keeps me going.
So when the going gets tough, I hope you can conjuer up these ideals and standards and always - always press on with your heart in the right place.
You are such an amazing, solid person and I am so very, very lucky to have you as my brother and I'm proud to call you my friend.
CARPE DIEM, Steve. There's a lot of life to live out there.
argh! the first part of my comments didn't show up for some reason - so read this part FIRST (as I try and recreate what I've typed!)
-----
Holy cow, Steve how did you get to be so smart? Must be that awesome big sister of yours, huh?
I can relate to your feelings of excitement as you anticipate all that the future may hold for you...there are times in my life when I'm nearly knocked over by really, how in love with life I am - and I think how could anything be better than this moment, right here, right now?
Then there are other times when things are going so well and I'm so tired and frustrated and I think how much easier it would be to give up and not care....(OKAY, now start reading the first comment!)
Since leaving home in 2003 each new day has brought you closer to where you are today: faith, friends, classes, experiences, ROTC, the Marines you've met, etc. You have captured the opportunity to discover who you are and identify the direction you want for your life. And you have acknowledged a higher power watching over you and guiding your steps along the way. How can you go wrong?
I'm proud of you, Stephen. You are wise beyong your years. There will be challenges and difficult times ahead along with joyous exuberant moments. This is called "life" and you're ready for it. Ditto to Kelli when she said Carpe Diem, Steve. We love you.
ROCK ON.
So do you plan to ever write in this blog again? The cobwebs are growing.
Post a Comment
<< Home