Final thoughts: Four things to help find your call amidst the chaos
By: Brandon Leonard
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Opinion
Movies, books and songs talk about them - good byes.
Do a quick Wikipedia search of "goodbye" or "bye bye." You will find a plethora of songs that deal with this element of human life.
Some of the hardest moments in my life have been when I had to give my final farewell to someone close, knowing that our relationship may never be the same as it was at that moment.
At times of parting, a question always comes to my mind.
What can I pass on to those who follow me?
This question lingers in my mind as I approach the final days of my North Greenville career (Lord willing).
In desperation, I searched the Internet for a few words of advice and quickly realized maybe the advice would be better if it was from someone else.
Heather Zydek wrote in a web log at relevantmagazine.com what I feel most people battle at the end of their college career, the unknown.
In the blog, "What am I going to do with my life?" Zydek offers four reminders for those of us, not necessarily just seniors, who struggle with finding our calling.
First, Zydek says to "take advantage of opportunities." Personally, I took as many advantages as I could on my way through school.
I studied abroad in Argentina for a year and learned a foreign language. I took a break from school for a year to work with an international nonprofit organization. I studied and did an internship in the nation's capitol for a semester. Looking back, I would not change a thing. Difficult situations did happen while I was away from family and lifelong friends, but I learned more at those times than any others in my life.
Second, Zydek says to "get your hands dirty." I am as reluctant as the next person to get dirty, but this advice is good too.
Looking outside your "comfort zone" is a good way to expand your horizons. The next best thing in your life might be one of the things you do not want to get your hands dirty doing.
Third, Zydek says to "look beyond yourself." While seemingly simple, this tip is the hardest one for me to do.
Do a quick Wikipedia search of "goodbye" or "bye bye." You will find a plethora of songs that deal with this element of human life.
Some of the hardest moments in my life have been when I had to give my final farewell to someone close, knowing that our relationship may never be the same as it was at that moment.
At times of parting, a question always comes to my mind.
What can I pass on to those who follow me?
This question lingers in my mind as I approach the final days of my North Greenville career (Lord willing).
In desperation, I searched the Internet for a few words of advice and quickly realized maybe the advice would be better if it was from someone else.
Heather Zydek wrote in a web log at relevantmagazine.com what I feel most people battle at the end of their college career, the unknown.
In the blog, "What am I going to do with my life?" Zydek offers four reminders for those of us, not necessarily just seniors, who struggle with finding our calling.
First, Zydek says to "take advantage of opportunities." Personally, I took as many advantages as I could on my way through school.
I studied abroad in Argentina for a year and learned a foreign language. I took a break from school for a year to work with an international nonprofit organization. I studied and did an internship in the nation's capitol for a semester. Looking back, I would not change a thing. Difficult situations did happen while I was away from family and lifelong friends, but I learned more at those times than any others in my life.
Second, Zydek says to "get your hands dirty." I am as reluctant as the next person to get dirty, but this advice is good too.
Looking outside your "comfort zone" is a good way to expand your horizons. The next best thing in your life might be one of the things you do not want to get your hands dirty doing.
Third, Zydek says to "look beyond yourself." While seemingly simple, this tip is the hardest one for me to do.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Gillian Kerr
posted 3/16/09 @ 4:16 AM EST
Good scene, interesting post, thanks.
Grever Bossier
posted 4/15/09 @ 5:00 PM EST
Thank you for writing the article, I am very pleased with how it came out.
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