Sunday, August 15, 2010

Live life by your own rules


Anytime someone asks me how I'm doing I usually say, "Living the dream." Most people think it's a joke, and in a way it is. My life's pretty average when it comes down to it. But at the end of the day I have the freedom to do what I want, so in that respect I am living the dream, or at least my dream at this stage in my life.

I feel like people are in a rush to do everything.  People feel the need to be married by this age, kids by this age. They need a certain job, car, house or they won't be successful. Whatever happened to appreciating the little moments?  People get so caught up in getting all the big things done they forget to appreciate what comes along the way.

You have your whole life to start a family, but how much time do you have to do whatever you want with no responsibilites?   Not very long when you think about it. Also, why do you only have a certain amount of time to do things? I feel like if the norm wasn't to get married and have kids by a certain age people wouldn't do it. Not that there is anything wrong with either of those. In fact, I would like both someday. It just needs to be for the right reasons.

It's almost like these societal milestones are a chore sometimes. I better live it up in my 20's cause in my 30's I have to settle down.  Why? Why not just let it happen when it happens? Go out and meet new people, join an Alumni softball team, go to a network event for work. Get out of your comfort zone and stop worrying about what you're supposed to do.  Realize what you're ready for at this stage in your life. If you're ready to settle down then do it. If not, then don't. That's the beauty of America, you can do what you want. I think sometimes we forget that.  Life's too short to just resign yourself to a certain fate. Get out there and make your own dream.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

We all love music




Have you ever met someone that doesn't like music? I didn't think so.  Whether it be rock, rap, country, bluegrass or even that screaming stuff I think they call Emo, we all love it.  Music serves a number of functions.  It can help us smile during our worst days or make us laugh or cry with one verse or tune. Anytime I've had a bad day I put on some 2pac, Phil Collins, or Rod Stewart and everything goes away.  The power of music truly is unbelievable.

Music takes us back to moments in life and places we've been. It reminds us of former boyfriends and girlfriends. Anyone who has been in a relationship has 1 or 2 songs they will always associate with that person. It takes us back to seemingly meaningless moments in time that are made meaningful by one song.  In truth, it hits the soul.  Music can also bring people together like few other things in life can.  It can pump us up for a big game, or mellow us out after a day at work.  We laugh, we cry, we sing along.

I still remember listening to "Learning to Fly" on my way to college graduation. I still remember the songs I listened to during the best and worst times of former relationships. Whenever I hear oldies I think back to the days playing Parcheesee with my dad when I was a kid.  I still remember the first time I heard 2pac and where I was.  In short, music makes us remember, and in the end that is what life is all about.