A Monday Musing

Girls; how many of you wanted to become ballerina's when you were little...? 

        I considered it; only I couldn't skip til I was six.  

Can you remember what you wanted to be?

Life On Demand

To anyone who is of an age where they have left school, completed a college course, or finished a university degree, I can guarantee that you will have been asked what is perhaps the most common question amongst 16-21 year olds; the dreaded question, the repetitive question and the question that you just don’t have the answer to; “So… what’s the plan now you’re entering the big wide world?”

I finished university over a year ago. I studied English Literature as I have always loved to read and write for as long as I can remember. After completing my degree I was entirely aware that I would soon, like many others, be entering what has been commonly called the ‘real’ world. Have I, unbeknownst to myself, been living in some university bubble that exists in a parallel universe? Perhaps.

Anyway, like I said, I was completely aware that this was my last summer holiday and my remaining moments of freedom. So, I went to New York and had the most incredible time any 21 year old could ask for. I cried at the airport when I left and I’m not even ashamed to admit that sometimes when I hear Alicia Keys’ “New York”, my eyes well up.

When I arrived home I felt satisfied with my time off and couldn’t decide whether to save up some money to go travelling, go in to further education or to begin the search for a job. However, in the time I spent trying to figure out how to make my next move, I kept hearing the same gripes from those around me; the fear and worry of the unknown. I too had these concerns.

Now I can’t speak for everyone here but I know that for a lot of people we have had our educational map planned out for us, whether you leave school early or you stay right through until your 20’s. I am a huge believer in obtaining as much education as you possibly can. However, as we spend such a large proportion of our lives learning, by the time we get our hands around that yearbook or put on our graduation cap, we are finally free to choose our own paths. Since leaving university I have frequently heard a mix of fear, worry and excitement from those around me who too shared my position.

How many of you have heard somebody say that they are going travelling after seeing pictures uploaded of an old school friend splashing around on a beach in Australia? Or what about the jobs your friends keep getting and you fear you’ll get left behind? And how about the studious family friend who has decided to do an MA? After not only hearing these stories, but also seeing them play out in front of you via social networking sites, it is no wonder that people have become so fearful.

I believe that we live in a world where we expect life to be on demand. Our generation has grown up in a world full of technological advances where everything happens at an instant; be it at the click of a mouse, the tap of a keyboard or the press of button. It is in my view that because of our physical and emotional dependence on technology that we apply the same mindset to our own lives. If the remote control is a bit slow we get frustrated, when the computer crashes we grunt and when we have no signal we feel deserted. In the same way, when we say goodbye to education we expect the next step to be instantly there, but that’s just not the case. Life doesn’t happen at the press of a button, it’s just that we are part of a ‘we want it now’ culture.

Everyone reading this will be in a different position to the other. Some will have a job, some will be looking and others don’t know what they’re looking for. However, what most of you will have in common is that feeling of uncertainty which lurks in the pit of your stomach when confronted with that unanswerable question.

I will admit that when I want something I want it right away. Is this impatience or determination? Perhaps it is a mixture of the two. However, what I have come to realise and am still in the process of learning, is the importance of having balance. Just because you don’t go travelling this year doesn’t mean you won’t go the next, and even though you have lost your job it doesn’t mean that you won’t find another. If we remember to take a step back from time to time and just let things happen, we might find the unknown a little less scary. The facts are, we don’t know what will happen next, life could change tomorrow or it might stay the same for ten years. So, when a chapter closes and you turn the page to the next installment, you might be confronted with blank pages. But perhaps, sometimes it’s ok to let the pages write themselves. 

Felicity and Hannah's Race for Life

Hey guys :)

One of my best friends, Felicity, and her lovely sister, Hannah, are running 10k in the Race for Life on 22nd July 2012 in Chelmsford, Essex.

They are hoping to raise £500 and are almost half way there but they would really appreciate a little extra help. It's for a great cause and all the money will go to Cancer Research, a charity that is very close to my heart and Felicity and Hannah's and I'm sure many other people's across the world.

If you would like to make a donation, however big or small, please visit their Just Giving page on https://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/felicitysutton833.

 Any donations are welcome and every little helps.

Thanks
xxxxxxxxxxxx