Looks Like We Made It
It's the journey, not the destination.
Well, that's the general sentiment, at least. Like most things though, there are caveats to this common saying. Sure when it comes time to show, to perform, to graduate, we think back on the time we have spent preparing for this moment which, in itself, is over before we know it. It's the memories leading up to this moment -- the people, the experiences, the regrets, the learnings, the passion, the mistakes, the growing -- that we forever cherish and consider more meaningful than the moment itself. The moment is like a figurehead. What you can write on a piece of paper with a check mark next to it.
I'm not sure what this all means, but it doesn't mean that we can neglect the destination or deny it of its importance. At this point, I introduce a young but persistent counter-saying: Eye on the prize.
There have been several points in my life that I wasn't so keen on the journey. Phrases like next week at this time or I just need to get through this one month are staples in my guidebook of self-encouragement (No, not a real book. Just the pages of my mind).
I'm no professor of physics, but I do know that you come across a bump in the road, it takes a lot more energy to get over it when you slow down than when you maintain your speed (don't worry, I have Trapster). Sometimes you have to cast a blind eye on all the obstacles in your path and remain focused on the end goal. Harping on anything and everything that could make the process difficult or impossible only makes it more difficult, and worse, could make it so that you never reach your destination. And I don't know how you feel about living at a rest stop, but I sure don't fancy it.
Hailing from the state with the world's most beautiful freeway, I am most certainly not opposed to a good drive. I will roll down my windows and enjoy the wildlife, greenery, and my hair blowing in the wind. But I will purposefully ignore the traffic, detours, and bumps in the road. That's the only possible way that, when I arrive at my destination, I can look back on my journey and smile.
Well, that's the general sentiment, at least. Like most things though, there are caveats to this common saying. Sure when it comes time to show, to perform, to graduate, we think back on the time we have spent preparing for this moment which, in itself, is over before we know it. It's the memories leading up to this moment -- the people, the experiences, the regrets, the learnings, the passion, the mistakes, the growing -- that we forever cherish and consider more meaningful than the moment itself. The moment is like a figurehead. What you can write on a piece of paper with a check mark next to it.
I'm not sure what this all means, but it doesn't mean that we can neglect the destination or deny it of its importance. At this point, I introduce a young but persistent counter-saying: Eye on the prize.
There have been several points in my life that I wasn't so keen on the journey. Phrases like next week at this time or I just need to get through this one month are staples in my guidebook of self-encouragement (No, not a real book. Just the pages of my mind).
I'm no professor of physics, but I do know that you come across a bump in the road, it takes a lot more energy to get over it when you slow down than when you maintain your speed (don't worry, I have Trapster). Sometimes you have to cast a blind eye on all the obstacles in your path and remain focused on the end goal. Harping on anything and everything that could make the process difficult or impossible only makes it more difficult, and worse, could make it so that you never reach your destination. And I don't know how you feel about living at a rest stop, but I sure don't fancy it.
Hailing from the state with the world's most beautiful freeway, I am most certainly not opposed to a good drive. I will roll down my windows and enjoy the wildlife, greenery, and my hair blowing in the wind. But I will purposefully ignore the traffic, detours, and bumps in the road. That's the only possible way that, when I arrive at my destination, I can look back on my journey and smile.
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