To think is a gift. A gift that should be handled with caution, but nonetheless, handled often.
Since entering college, I realized that there isn't much time for thinking. There are other things that are far more appealing: partying, living, doing. Nonetheless, there was still room for an ample amount of conversations ranging from awkward small-talk to life changing heart-to-hearts. I was pleased to find others who enjoyed discussion as much as I did, and even more thankful that they became my good friends.
However, for every person like them, it seems as though I met twice the amount of people who lacked an interest in the sort of thing altogether. When I brought up a topic that strayed from the obvious facets of college life, the person I was talking to at the time simply said "they weren't interested in philosophy crap," and "it had nothing to do with them." This confused and disappointed me. I wasn't talking about anything far from home base, in fact, I was talking about different areas of study and the worth placed on them by society. If anything, it has everything to do with us as college students. I was not offended that they were uninterested in having a conversation with me, but more so by the fact that they had so quickly deemed themselves "not a thinker" and left it at that.
I have a constant cycle going on in my mind. Thinking about the actions taken and emotions felt during the day. About the emotions that went with specific actions, and actions formed because of certain emotions. Thinking about other times where similar things happened, or when things concluded differently. Focusing on the overlap, focusing on the deficit.
I hold self-awareness to be one of the most important qualities anyone can have. Without it, we are puppets, susceptible to the manipulation of others. Through thinking, we learn why we do things and why we feel the way we do. By gaining control of ourselves we become stronger and more efficient. Drawing parallels and finding answers to well-posed questions keep us sharp and more resilient to stay true to our emotions, needs, and morals.
I hope I don't lose sight of this when another year full of good times and simple temptations comes around. It's easy to become complacent, but I will strive to uphold my thinking to the standards I have created.
Vicki
