Last year, I saw my first midnight movie. Pretty lame for a 19-year-old, I know, but I’d never been that excited about a movie. That is, until Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides came to theaters.
Like many fans, I wanted to know how the series was going to end – so much so that I wanted to skip the middle just so I could cut to the action. Unfortunately, as a mere spectator I was unable to fast-forward (I’ve never worked at a movie theatre, but I’m pretty sure that fast forwarding would be frowned upon in that setting anyways).
I didn’t have a choice. All I could do was sit back, and enjoy the ride.
Easier Said Than Done
Today, as I am preparing to start another semester at Ball State, I realized that part of me is ready to fast-forward to the end of college. I don’t want to wish my life away, I’m just ready for a new adventure.
This isn’t the first time I’ve been guilty of living with my focus on the future. When I was in Jr. High, I just wanted to be a high school student, and when I was a high school student, I just wanted to be in college. Maybe you’ve been there; maybe you can relate.
The problem is, when I live with my eyes on the future, I miss out on the treasures of everyday life. I withdraw from the present chapter so I can fix my attention on the next section of life, and that is not fair to others or myself.
Sometimes I have to tell myself to sit back, and enjoy the ride, just like when I watched On Stranger Tides. As much as I would like to see where I will be 10 years from now, I know that the end result will not be as meaningful as the journey that it took to get there.
The journey is where the behind-the-scenes, character development and suspense take place. The journey is the adventure.
I’m glad I didn’t skip part of On Stranger Tides, because had I not seen the middle of the movie, I probably would not have enjoyed the ending as much as I did.
Don’t wait until life has passed you by and you wish you could rewind. Today is still here and it isn’t going anywhere. It’s time to stop being a spectator. It’s time to get out and play.
Last thoughts: “It is not about the destination so much as the journey.” -Jack Sparrow
Question: What’s distracting you from enjoying the ride?
