Improve each shining moment
"Carpe diem — seize the day." A quote or phrase may get over-used at times, but as I sat down to write one of my last columns, I began to reflect on this past year, my senior year, and those words came to my mind.
I thought about what I've learned, not just this year, but these past four years in high school, and what have been the really important things. English, yes! Math, yes! History and science, yes!
But more than any particular subject, this life that we've been given and what we choose to do with it should be something that takes precedent over our friends, our grades and even our wonderful high school memories. As seniors, we have a lot of questions ahead of us; a lot of "trial and error"; and many times, we can become fearful to even step out and try.
One of my favorite quotes is by Marianne Williamson (condensed): "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us ... And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."
A lot of today's teenagers are hesitant about standing up or standing out for something they strongly believe in for fear of failure or inadequacy. But we have no idea the power we posses within us. This generation is a generation of influence: a great responsibility, but also a great blessing.
Sophomore Jordan Reeves said, "The hardest part about standing up or standing out is the fear of people judging you or tearing you down." However, we have the opportunity to either live a life of impact or a life of indifference.
A moment is defined as a brief period of excellence. I don't want my life or accomplishments to be a brief period of excellence, and I don't desire that for my peers, either. I want to make a lasting impression along with other people who (desire) the same thing.
It doesn't have to be just young people who stand up; I also challenge adults to stand, too. No matter the age, a person can be noticed in a positive way, living to their full potential.
New Life Christian High School is a Christian school. We have a chapel service bi-weekly, and also three times a year, we have a Spiritual Emphasis Week, during which there is a chapel service every day. Two weeks ago, at the last Spiritual Emphasis Week of the year, the message was: "Don't let a moment (or a particular event) define who you are."
You cannot let a person, experience or your past hold you back from experiencing all you can in life. Some people will tell you that your options are limited because of your circumstances, but I don't believe that is true.
So, do what it takes. Press through the crowd and be what you are destined to be.
