We Only Get 24 Hours

               We're starting to hit the point in the semester when there is so much to do and so little time to do it. There's homework to be done, papers to be written, music to learn, and mid-terms to take. Add in trying to work part-time, being social (at least on weekends), and getting enough sleep to muddle through the next day and you have like 30 hours of activity packed into a 24 hour time span. Everything is constantly go, go, go... and it's exhausting. 
               A night in advance, I can pretty much tell  you how I will be spending every minute of the day to come. Whether it's in class, grabbing lunch with a friend, doing homework, practicing or taking a nap- I learned pretty fast how to manage time in ways that will bring me the least displeasure. Meaning: learning about centripetal motion certainly doesn't bring me pleasure, but if I study it effectively and get my homework done quickly, I can move on to things that I am passionate about and that bring me joy.
              On days like today, when every minute feels scheduled and time fades away much too quickly I find it is good to just stop for a little while. To embrace the beauty of silence.  To meditate. To pray. To focus in on the random little things that brighten my day; things that seem mundane but are truly wonderful when you think about them. Things like:

• A good cup of coffee in the morning to give energy when it's most needed
• Colorful pens that help me color code my notes
• Hearing your favorite song from a few months ago, and reminiscing on good times passed
• A smile from a total stranger
• A smile and hug from an old friend
• The reassuring "Mhmm" sounds people make when you're talking to them or they're listening to someone else speak (lately, I've mainly noticed it from professors)- it lets you know they are listening and actively engaged in what is being said
• Sharpie doodles on binders
• A group of 12 cellists using their talents together to make glorious music- I seriously cannot help but smile when I see and hear everyone weaving the musical lines together in a way that encompasses the prodigy, the beginner and everyone in between
• Organic almond butter
• Thought provoking questions and statements that alter your thinking on a particular subject
• Thinking of all the wonderful possibilities for the future
• Good music, no matter how you define that
• Star-gazing
• Comfy clothes, my big pillow with colorful fish on it, and a heating vent/ fireplace that make doing homework a little more cozy
• Reading God's Word after a long day and remembering that everything is going to be alright in the end

Things like these make life lovely, even in times of work and stress.

Worth It?

           Every day we are faced with literally thousands of choices. Some as little as picking which sweatshirt to wear and some are much weightier and hold much more significance. I think these choices can put too much pressure on us, especially teenagers finishing up high school and venturing into the land of college. It seems as if by graduation day we have to have picked out our perfect college, career goals, be in a long-term relationship and have everything figured out. Let me tell you, that none of that is true. You don’t have to have everything figured out because there is someone who does. And He directs your path better than you ever could. You may pick a college for some very good reasons, but then decide it isn’t for you; you may think you know what you “want to be when you grow up,” but tastes and interest change as your horizons are widened; relationships are a lot of time and energy— and people/ feelings change over time. Nothing really goes according to plan. There are always bumps in the road.

Last year, as a senior in high school, I went along doing the usual senior thing and decided on a college. It was totally my decision, and I kind of rushed into the process by only applying to one college after going on only one college visit. But, I am so thankful to be at Calvin. God kept Calvin in my heart and mind, and going anywhere else just didn’t feel right. I absolutely loved my first semester, my first interim, and now I’m diving into the spring semester. They are very challenging and required a lot of work, but the work paid off! It was worth it. All the late nights spent doing Calculus and writing Spanish essays or watching documentaries on BioFuel were so worth it. I have learned so much, am beginning to understand how to really apply the things that I learn through classes to my life (mostly character traits, skills, and ways of thinking, not really things like how to find velocities and such). In that sense my work paid off.

Everyone I run into now asks how school is going. Usually I respond with “It’s busy, but it’s going well.” This is true. What many people have said next is what surprised me. Especially those connected with Calvin, or who know of Calvin’s reputation tell me that in the end, it is going to be worth it. I am getting a wonderful education (although it does deprive me of sleep at times) and am meeting incredible people. The literal monetary cost of coming here is great, but I am being reassured that in the end, I won’t regret it because the experience is worthwhile. [Note: I am not so naïve and biased as to think that Calvin is the only place I could be getting a great education, but I do think that right now it’s where I’m supposed to be.]

My real question goes something along the lines of: will the time and energy I put into every different facet of my life be worth it in the end? Ultimately, when I look back on my life will I remember that my time was wasted—uselessly spent looking at pictures of cats on the internet? Or will I be able to look back on my actions and see that every moment I could, I used to bring about the Kingdom? That is truly why life is worth living, to bring glory to God. And now through my studies, through orchestra, through building community at lunch or dinner, I am trying my best to serve the Lord and honor Him in everything. Even the things that seem meaningless in the grand scheme of things have meaning. Everything says something about who you are as a person and who you’re trying to become. So be the person who you’re going to be, today. In the end, it will all be worth it.

Why My Kids Will Listen to Simon & Garfunkel

             Growing up, I remember always having a couple black cases in the car filled with CDs. They ranged from Pirates of the Caribbean to Barry Manilow, the Beach Boys to Rascal Flatts, Collin Raye to England Dan and John Ford Coley. I was definitely influenced by all this music; and I’ve grown to appreciate it and even like some of it. I’ll turn on a little Huey Lewis when I’m feeling spunky and Collin Raye’s “Little Red Rodeo” has been on my top played song list from the time I was really little until now. I, of my own free will, sometimes choose to listen to things that my parents introduced me to. That is exactly why I will play Simon & Garfunkel songs for my children.

[Preface: First, I have a very good memory in regard to some things. I remember a lot about dates and times, clothes, quotes, and events in which I took part. Second, I can tell almost instantly whether or not I like something, I don’t really waver back and forth when it comes to things like picking out dresses, the way I like my coffee, music or television. In most cases, I sense something for the first time and know in my heart that it is the right/wrong thing for me then.]

With that being said, I can remember the first time I really listened to Simon & Garfunkel. I was sharing an iPod with a friend as we tried to pass the time on the bus when our senior class traveled to CO. The Sound of Silence and Bridge Over Troubled Water came on and I remember thinking “What is this magical music and why have I never heard it before?” Their sweet and clear voices melded in perfect harmony and immediately found a place in my heart. As I began to discover more and more of their music over the following months, I came to appreciate and love it all the more. A deep and personal connection to music is strange if you think about it, and is hard to explain. But, I think most people have experienced something of the sort and can therefore relate. For me it’s Simon & Garfunkel. For others it could be Kelly Clarkson, Eminem, Claude Debussy, U2 or Martina McBride.

Paul Simon is a brilliant poet and songwriter; the words he penned are so full of meaning and the way he tells stories are so complex, but at the same time simple—using few words. And Art Garfunkel’s tenor voice is just lovely. When they make music together, it brings a smile to my face and on occasion a tear to my eye. The poignant line, “The fighter still remains” in the midst of defeat from The Boxer and the insight into pure friendship from Bridge Over Troubled Water always strike a chord somewhere inside me. The nonsensical happiness of Feelin’ Groovy is contagious and I can’t help but sing along and smile.

           I think there is great meaning and passion in the lyrics and beautiful melodies in the music of Simon & Garfunkel, which is why I want to share it. I want it to encourage, provoke thought, and inspire others like it has for me. This is why (Lord willing) someday in the future when I have children I’ll use whatever new music playing technology is available and crank some good old S&G tunes. Then maybe they’ll decide to pull it out and listen to something I introduced to them.