okay

an allowable offense

audio version:

we’re raised to believe okay means complacent.

that we aren’t working hard enough because we’re happy.

the journey shouldn’t be fun; if it is, you’re slacking off.

why can’t we flip this?

why can’t it be okay to be great?

why can’t it be awesome to be incredible?

throughout college i’ve found this friction.
this odd feeling.
this confusion.

throughout high school there would be an omnipresent “stress.”

this doesn’t exist in college, but it’s lack thereof has made me feel as though i should do more.
that for some reason, i’m not doing enough right now.
that because life is so great and cushy and awesome, i must do more.

i do believe in hard work, i just don’t believe in it needing to always be hard.

i’m training for marathons and ironmans right now; i’m having so much fun.

i’m creating videos documenting my college experience; it’s my favorite thing to do.

i’m reading a ton, meditating every morning, sleeping more than ever, feeling energetic and vibrant; i’m the most fit i’ve ever been.

in short, i feel like “HOLY MOLY GUACAMOLE” in a single word.

i’m living, laughing, vibing.

i’m meeting people, dancing through the days, experiencing a self-improvement book’s day-dream.

i’m not busy, i’m infinitely free.

does this mean i’m complacent?

does this mean i’m not doing enough?

does this mean ariv’s ideal machine needs a static and kinetic component?

i refuse to believe purpose means busy.

and i refuse to believe dogma as fact.
okay that was too much i got kind of excited to use exciting words.

now obviously i won’t be a college student forever.

obviously i won’t have a free credit card in my wallet with my parents name on it.

obviously this little child named me speaks from a position of great privilege.

but does this mean i can’t enjoy these moments of luxury?

does that make me complacent, or ignorant?

does that make me a bad person?

i’ll close with an anecdote:

when i took part in a 21 mile run (of which i completed 14) for my friend’s 21st birthday, upon reaching the top of the mountain we came across a geocache with a handful of notes in it.

out of the handful, here’s one we picked up.

The last time I hiked up here, I shared a quote:

“These are among the happiest of days I’ve ever ignored.”

That was true then, but now I’m fully embracing these happy days.

It shows how quickly life can turn around.

People often talk about recognizing a happy time once it’s already over, but no one talks about recognizing the happy times in the present and not being able to appreciate / enjoy them.

For me, that tends to be the hardest part.

If you read this I hope it helps you to appreciate the happy times!