This is my last article, which I regret because I love writing this column. This was not a typical opinion editorial column. I suppose I could have talked about politics, current events, current movies, books, a million things. I chose not to.
Instead, I chose a bit more of a literary route—little stories about interesting events that have happened or curious particularities I have noticed. I think literature and poetic language have been grossly pushed outside the realms of everyday life. Therefore, I will conclude this semester in the same fashion.
Oscar Wilde once said, “I am not young enough to know everything.” After three tough years of school, countless essays and exams and dozens of books, I would be proud to tell Wilde that I am not either. This may seem silly coming from a 21 year old, but with every passing year, with every additional responsibility, I am getting younger—for age is not a physical concept.
And now, at the end of my university career, as I stand before a crossroad wondering what to do next, I feel younger, sillier, livelier and happier than ever. Being young is something that we forget very often. We forget it because we can afford to forget it; age is not yet beating at our doors.
Before I go, I want to leave you with a few words. If you have gotten caught up in trying to finish all of those papers before their due dates, stop. Go buy yourself a nice iced mocha, sit on a bench and for just a moment remember that you are young, that it’s warm outside and that very soon it will be summer.
Even though I have decided to end on a light note, I leave you with my favorite “Don Quixote” quote. Hopefully you will read it more than once. Hopefully it will make you think. You might even write it on your notebook cover: “One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars and the world will be better for this.”
Go forward no matter what. There will always be tough moments and hard times, but tough times shouldn’t keep you from those incredible stars.
Lastly, be young. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind. I can’t say it enough. Good luck with your studies, and safe (and exciting) travels into the stormy, beautiful seas of life.
