I admit I’m usually not one for New Year’s resolutions. Aw, everything will be the same this year, I always think to myself. Just like last year, and the year before that, and the year before that….But then I realized something today. If my outlook on life doesn’t change, then certainly nothing else will! I came to this realization due to a little incident this morning.
Getting ready for work, I felt kind of nauseous and feverish. So when I got on the train all bundled up in my coat, scarf, and winter paraphernalia, I felt hotter than ever. It didn’t help that the train was packed with commuters. I mean, packed. You couldn’t move an inch. (Obviously, there were no seats available.) I was just thinking how horribly uncomfortable I was when the train suddenly screeched to a stop. A woman’s cool voice came over the speaker. “We are experiencing delays because of train traffic ahead of us. Please be patient.”
A minute passed with no movement, then two. I began to feel claustrophobic, as well as more nauseous. I longed to take off my coat, or sit down (or throw up) but I couldn’t do any of these things unless I wanted to sorely inconvenience my fellow passengers. The sense of claustrophobia increased until I felt like the walls of the train were closing in on me. Ten minutes later, just when I was thinking I couldn’t take it anymore, the train started moving. Inch by inch we gathered speed, until we were hurtling through the tunnel. The sense of relief when we reached my stop was overwhelming. Stumbling off the train, I ascended the station stairs and was met with crisp, fresh air and blinding sunlight.
I was free! And—I know this sounds corny—the sky above me had never seemed so blue. My brief imprisonment in the subway car had made me appreciate the outdoors all the more. The incident almost seemed like a sort of lesson, just in time for New Year’s. And so it inspired me to create a few New Year’s resolutions that I’d like to share with you!
RESOLUTION #1: DEVELOP PATIENCE
As the subway announcement exhorts us, “Please be patient.” My claustrophobia would have lessened if I’d simply waited for the train to move. Patience is an important virtue, especially for college students! Whether you’re struggling through a long-distance relationship, an awkward roommate situation, or a difficult class, remember that it won’t last forever! Before you know it, you’ll have moved out of your cramped dorm room, be back home in the arms of your significant other, and have turned in your final exam for that challenging class.
RESOLUTION #2: REMEMBER THAT LIFE HAS UPS AND DOWNS
When I was stuck underground in that dark, smelly subway car, things seemed pretty bad. Then the train started moving, and before I knew it I was above-ground, enjoying the fresh air and sunlight. Life, in the same way, is series of ups and downs. Maybe 2010 was a rough year for you. 2011 is a new start! Always keep hoping, and never let yourself stay down.
RESOLUTION #3: APPRECIATE THE GOOD IN LIFE
After leaving the subway station, I felt a somewhat cheesy, but deep appreciation of my “freedom.” Hardship will often cause you to stop take stock in what you have. But you don’t have to experience strife to notice all that’s good in life. Sometimes your appreciation can be for the simplest things—listening to the birds in the park, enjoying a good cup of cocoa on a cold winter’s day, or sharing dinner with friends. Life is full of these moments.
That being said, I hope you put these resolutions to use! They are sure to make 2011 a good year.
–Written by Megan Soyars, Campus Clipper blogger
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