A Command to Have Fun

Today my leadership teacher noticed my stress and worried feeling. She told me that I needed to come into class with a positive attitude and less stress, or I would lose some points. And I agree. I should be punished for going too far in my stressfulness. I just wish people around me would help me realize that I am way too stressed out. I wish people would actually drag me out of my stressfulness and do something to help me realize to find balance in my life.

There is so much to do. So much to balance. This weekend I collapsed from all the stress. Today I had a major timed essay and another essay due. Last night my document disappeared and I had to rewrite it wasting another precious hour of sleep. I had a mediocre weekend filled with work and stress. Although it was nice to go to the JSA convention I really didn't have any close friends there and definitely no relaxation; JSAers just debate and add to my stress level. Before that I had my auction procurement in Seattle, and the ACT, and the complaints and stresses from class council members. And yet in all of this I am still trying to get my necessary homework done along with college apps and a job search.

Life is rough. But this weekend I really learned to appreciate those small things. My sedulous study session with two good friends. I only chatted for a few minutes, and I was incredibly productive. It was the precense of friends that helped me get through it. Then I encountered the girl I met at an NYU tour at a high school in Seattle of all places! I got to wander through Seattle and watch the view of Mount Rainier from the bridge. I laughed at the silly Temple assitant director of education's lame jokes and awkward expressions. I enjoyed my friend's perilous fall down the stairs in her high heels. And I watched the Lakehouse; thank god that movie had a happy ending (such a sucker for chick flicks.... no wonder people think I'm gay). So just by looking at this paragraph I can tell that despite all the stress in the previous paragraph, I had just as much joy. Even if the joy was not as noticeable, it was there and it kept me going.

It reall is the small things that count. I will go tomorrow to school and just breathe. Take in the small joys of life and even if it is a horrible unlucky day tomorrow, I will try to find a bright side to it all. While I doubt the power of optimism, I do believe that if you can just find one ounce of happiness it can at least save you from falling apart. And hopefully those small joys will build up and help to make your day a positive, not a negative.

Sleep. Breathe. Laugh.