Seize every opportunity

Bittersweet. As much as I don’t really like that word, it seems to be the perfect word to describe this summer. Towards the end of the school year, summer couldn't get here fast enough—the repercussions of our “beloved” natural disasters were being revealed. We soon realized, however, that two weeks was nothing compared to the amount of time a single graduation would take up. The next few weeks, and still as I write this, have been unbelievably busy. It feels like I've constantly been on the run, and it’s becoming clear that one summer isn’t enough time to do everything I need to and truly feel satisfied.

Don’t get me wrong, though. I really am having the time of my life right now, being able to graduation-party hop, getting paid for getting a tan, traveling around Kentucky doing service work, and touring new parts of the country. And all the while I get to spend time with those who mean the most to me.

This bittersweetness, however, is becoming all the more real as each day passes. The idea that my life is about to change forever is slowly becoming a reality.

And if you think about it, how many times in your life do you actually get to say that? How many times can you tell yourself that your life is about to change? It’s hard to really know, but my guess is not many. So how does a person cope with that reality? How do I deal with the fact that the people, the surroundings, and the environment that I’m so used to will never be the same again?

I’m not really sure, to be honest, but from what I’ve learned so far this summer, you just have to seize every opportunity. If multiple opportunities happen to be presented at once, then you just adapt to the circumstances. This summer—and by extension, life—is all about being able to balance a summer job and graduation parties, me-time and time with loved ones, and all the while not being too concerned with what’s right around the corner.