Stretching

I used to think the stereotype of the lazy college student was just something played up by sitcoms and bad movies.

Used to.

Of course, not every college student is the unmotivated slacker. But this semester, more so than last year, I've been seeing it more and more. Being unwilling to take on responsibility, either for fear of conflicts with other plans or because of a self-seeking attitude, is glaringly shining through to me.

Have we (that includes college students and non-college students) allowed ourselves to be so self-absorbed and contented with mediocrity that we refuse to stretch ourselves in even slightly uncomfortable ways, even though they may lead to staggering growth? Of course, I'm not free from this problem. (After all, I certainly didn't post a blog last week...) But does that mean I shouldn't say anything about it?

So try stretching yourself. Be willing to fail, but not willing to quit. Commit whole-heartedly to as much as possible, but don't kill yourself. Whatever once-in-a-lifetime opportunities are around you, grab hold of them and hang on for the ride. It may not always be fun. It may not always work out like you would plan. But it's a lot better than doing nothing.

No Boring Sunsets

This week, I posted a Facebook status as I appreciated what I referred to as a "relatively boring sunset", saying that I still thought it was spectacular. I think that even the most average sunset is still worth watching. The colors contrasting, yet merging seamlessly, while the scene constantly changes as the sun dips below the horizon... It's poetic. I guess you could say the only boring sunset is the one you don't notice.

And about 9 times out of 10, I don't notice the sunset. Either I'm inside during that time, or I don't take the time to admire it. There it is, a free show for me to see, and I ignore it. Of course, this isn't just true for sunsets. I'm sure there are wildflowers I overlook, rainbows I am oblivious to, and amazing cloud formations I'm too focused to see.

But there's something more important I think we all ignore. Each other. I'm not saying we go around ignoring everyone, but I know I can't say that I appreciate everyone for their full worth. This would probably be impossible, but I could certainly start appreciating more people. Instead of being satisfied with a peripheral knowledge of my fellow college students ("Oh, so that's your name and major? Cool! We know each other now!"), I can start learning about who they really are. What make them smile. What they really want to do with their lives.

Of course, there are some people who don't want to go that deep. That's fine. That's on them, not me. But I need to step up and dig deep. After all, there's no such thing as a boring sunset, and I want to see as many as I can.

Three random thoughts:
1. Wow, once-a-week posting is liberating. I'm so much happier with this situation. I may shift back to twice-a-week posting eventually, but this... This is nice.
2. I pre-ordered Halo: Reach. I'm pretty sure this is the first game I personally have pre-ordered. I'm pretty excited.
3. The War Of The Words is still going strong! Have you filled out your bracket yet? (Just kidding, there's no bracket to fill out... This time) Seriously, though, go check it out and vote for your favorite words!

A Scaling Back

I don't want to write this post, but I'm finding immense joy in writing it at the same time.

I'm cutting back to a minimum of one post a week, to be posted on Saturdays.

These posts will (theoretically) be more focused than most of my current posts, since I'll have more time to develop them. So... Look forward to it!

Three random thoughts:

1. I'm listening to "Majesty, Snowbird" by Sufjan Stevens right now. It is a magnificent song.
2. Rehearsals for Into The Woods are finally starting. I'm filled with a feeling of anticipation and dread, but that's normal.
3. Don't forget to check out my other blogs, Choose Your Own Blogventure and The War Of The Words. Those will still update regularly!

Failure To Communicate

Shouldn't people with cell phones keep them on and with them at all times?

Especially when I need to reach them?

Sorry, I'm a bit frustrated at the moment. Something I've been trying to wrap up for about a month now could be finished in ten minutes (and would need to be finished in ten minutes), but I don't know if it would be possible until I get that text. So while I wait, I'll rant.

Why is communication so difficult? Why do we act passive-aggressively, hoping the other person picks up on our subtle hints that are TOTALLY obvious that they need to clean up that mess? Why don't we say we don't like something when we don't like something?

I suppose some of it is being polite. But there's a line between being polite and being a pushover, and it seems that half of us are on the pushover side and the other half are all the way across, on the rude side. This is hardly ideal, if you ask me.

Does this mean we should all be rude and demand our own way all the time? Certainly not. We should either authentically find joy in allowing someone else to have their way or let them know we don't like it as winsomely as possible. I'm finding this to be especially applicable in dealing with roommates.

I never got that text back. Oh well. Let's hope things work out in the end. Thanks for letting me ramble.

Three random thoughts:
1. Another new blog! (Hooray!) Check out The War of the Words, a 64-word winner-take-all tournament of champions! (And don't forget Choose Your Own Blogventure!)
2. I'm so happy it's the weekend. I don't know why this week has been so stressful, but it sure has been. I'm hoping it isn't a trend... But it very well could be.
3. Sometimes life is just hard. That's not something you're going to get around. But I believe life is never unbearable.

A Copout

Yeah, I'm going to be working 9-12 tonight, so I'm not going to feel like blogging. So here's a short thought.

While I was walking to class today, I was admiring the clouds. Big, fluffy clouds. I wondered, how many people don't appreciate the clouds? Obviously they know they're there, but how many don't bother looking at them because they're too focused on their next class, or what they're going to have for lunch, or the general stresses of life?

I hope I always take the time to notice the clouds.

Three random thoughts:
1. Me and my suitemate Jarrett made two instructional videos for the kids. Check 'em out! (Lesson One) (Lesson Two)
2. The main thing I learned from my most recent monthly poll is that either people don't really want recurring post ideas, or that they don't want any of the ones I suggested. Which, after thinking about it, probably fits my style better anyway.
3. I've been cast as the Mysterious Man in Into the Woods. It looks to be a rather enjoyable role... But most roles are enjoyable once I get into them anyway.