Llama Llama Drama Llama

Megan here. Today's Lessons:
1. Listen to your body. There are some things the mother of all first aid kits won't be able to fix.
2. Sleep is good.
3. Talking is good.
4. Don't ask for life to be perfect. Ask for life to be manageable.

Unfortunately, I'm going to tell it the way it is tonight. College is a wonderful opportunity for a new beginning--it truly is, and in some ways it succeeds with flying colors. One has the ability to start fresh and choose who they know, what they say, and when they say it. It is a bit of a rude awakening then to be abruptly pulled back into one's previous life chapters.

The truth is that no matter where you go, or how far away, you cannot escape everything you might have wanted to. Certain friendships will end while you're away, drama will erupt and cover everything in a nasty goo--and if you can't smell it on your own, someone will kindly shove it in your face--and people will ask you to come to the rescue, even when you don't have the ability. It's stressful to be chomping at the bit to get away, only to be held back by the needs of other people. Don't fret, just be prepared. My disappointment is only a reflection of my own naivety.

It is easy to jump into the role of being a hero. Everyone wants to save the day and fly to everyone's rescue, and I'm not saying you shouldn't be that amazing friend that says what needs to be said when everyone else doesn't have the guts to say it, but I am saying that it is perfectly okay to recognize your own limits. Don't burn yourself out at the precise moment when you're meant to add fuel to your fire. You can't always be the hero.

All of this being said, it's still important to remember where you've come from. Maintain friendships that need maintaining. Contact those people who've made positive contributions to your life. Recognize that who you are is not only a product of your success, but of others' successes, and unfortunately, their failures as well. Take all the lessons you've learned and use them to your advantage. Take negative experiences and use them to create positive ones. Take heart in knowing that you have the power and strength to rise above whatever obstacles are placed in front of you. That's the beauty of it all. Walls, no matter how high, can always be overcome.

Jeeze, I'm tired of sounding like a rambling fortune cookie. Be safe, be bold, be beautiful, and be confident that things will work themselves out.

-Megan