You’ve probably heard someone say, “Life’s a marathon.”
If that’s the case, then High School is the time you prepare for the race. Think about it. When you graduate, you’re considered to be an adult (especially if you are 18), at least as far as the law and the courts are concerned. Your parents might not think so, but let’s not go there right now.
You might be thinking: Freedom is what I have been trying to get more of for the last four years of High School. I want the freedom to choose when I come and when I go, what I eat and what I drink. I want the freedom to make my own decisions.
Okay, we know that, but how do you get there?
It begins with realizing that I’m responsible for how I run the race. If I make poor choices along the way, the consequences become more serious.
I learned this lesson quickly when I left for college. I was 3,000 miles away from my parents’ home, in my own apartment with no one to answer to. My first semester was a disaster. I was too self-absorbed and distracted with the wrong things. That is, until an upper classmen that I looked up to asked me: “So are you going to be someone who makes a difference or just another user?”
His question shocked me and made me angry, but now I realize I was really angry with myself. Again he asked, “Do you want to make a difference or just follow the followers? Do you want to be a person that contributes to other peoples’ lives? If so, then I suggest you stop screwing off and start working on your character now.”
It was a pretty harsh comment and hard to swallow at first, but it stuck with me, because I respected this guy. He also told me to start taking care of myself physically and mentally and to start paying attention to other peoples’ needs rather than just my own.
After this abrupt encounter, I made the decision to continue running the marathon of life, but now I would do it in a manner that would have the potential to positively influence my life and the lives of others.
We can make a difference when it’s not all about us and we decide to lift and care about other’s needs and not just our own. If we run in this manner, the impact we make can outlive us. Or we can kick back and lean on others.
