A “back-to-school” September contemplation

This time of year, post-secondary students will again begin exploring the answer to this question via their academic pursuits. What on earth am I here for?
Many won’t know they’re even trying to answer this question yet. Amidst the lectures, essays, research, part-time jobs, committee roles, they won’t realize they are slowly becoming more of themselves, even if for some of this time, they are lead astray.
Many will feel pressure to stay doing what they hate for the sake of someone else. But they will learn from that. Some will find something they love, and it may be inordinary and they will be judged. But they will learn from that. Others will float, perhaps unaware of the power in making real decisions. But they will learn from that. Others will coast, perhaps afraid of their own courage. But they will learn from that.
It’s a big one: What on earth am I here for? But the answer isn’t in some far off place you must push over boulders in order to reach. Using your own forms of exploration, you get to choose what it is you’re here for. And then, the point of every next decision you make is to bring you closer to whatever that is. That means in some cases, you will need lots of help; in other cases, you will need to go at it in solitude. You will have to push boundaries, or in more cases, to place boundaries. You may have to do things you don’t want to do right now because you believe in what doing them now will mean for you later. Most times, you’ll need to forgo immediate gratification; other times, you’ll need to find anything that’s gratifying enough just so you hang on.
But remember to hang on. You can quit things. You can switch majors or schools completely. You can take time off. You can miss deadlines if you must (but, don’t make that a habit — discipline is a virtue; due dates help things move along; it’s respected when you meet them… and so life goes). You can drop courses. You can drop out entirely. You can change your mind.
You can give up on things, but just don’t give up on YOU. Ever. The answer to this question unravels lifelong. You’re here for something. For more things. Hang on.
