Point A - Point B

Close your eyes.
Open your eyes.
Time can pass by quickly huh?
When you get from Point A to Point B and sit in the profound, surreal, overwhelming proximity of point B and think "how on earth did I get here?" you realize there are so many awesome and memorable circumstances that brought you to that exact point in time.  They may have seemed small, or unimportant in their own time frame, but upon arrival to your endpoint, become so great in the grand scheme of achieving your place in time NOW.

We were sitting outside yesterday: my best friends whom just one year ago had been strangers, all laying out on the field outside our dorm, talking about an infinite amount of topics and sharing stories in such a way that are only disclosed when you are in the closeness of people you find true ease in conversation with.  I lay there, listening to the buzz of conversation around me, and was suddenly struck with the realization that 1/4 of my college career is practically completed.
Amazing.
I sat there, sort of surprised by my own thought.
In that moment, I felt partially frustrated with the fact that what was supposed to be the "greatest year of my life" passed, and was ending without so much as a warning sign indicating a dead end.  The last year had seemed to wizz by; a stream of events that blurred into a year rather than significant moments that made it last and made it prominent and worthwhile.
It was annoying
disappointing
and sad.
Regardless of the sunny weather, I felt down.  Halfway through this year, I had been so eager to end this freshman year and get back home.   I admittedly pushed through the year rather than savored it.  So I knew that any reservations I had about the course of events this year would be my own fault, and that was just reality.
I looked around at our group of guy friends, meandering around on the field to my right.  I found myself watching them be happy, observing them just being.  Playing with a soccer ball, laughing, and purely existing in the same moment I was in.
I re-tuned into the conversation of my girl friends, and realized that in this moment,
precisely in this moment,
this year of seemingly "blurred events" had brought me to this pivotal and monumental moment.  I came into this year as a lost freshman, hopeful of making something of myself, discovering my path to life, and making the friends that I was assured would be the people that came to my wedding, babysat my kids, grew old with me etc.  I had not noticed these things actually being fulfilled throughout the year but as I lay on the warm grass in complete euphoria and satisfaction, I realized that this group and situation, was the indication that I had a
Great Year.
Full of great things.
And I began to recall the landslide of crazy, outlandish, exciting, difficult, trying times that marked each point in my freshman lifespan.  And there were MANY.
Like I said, these moments were good, these moments were difficult.   But together, these moments were fulfilling and prominent.  And they were worth every bit of stress and excitement I had been through.
Really, I thought, Not a blur at all.
By looking at my life, and seeing everything I had achieved as the person sitting in this particular spot, as well as what I had done to be in this exact spot, was staggering.  Over the course of the year, I had found my niche in this group of people I became so fond of.
It hadn't seemed like much over the course of the year.  Each day, you become a little more comfortable, close, easy going with certain people and situations and as the year evolves, it doesn't seem like much changes as you live day to day.
But arriving at this very day, you achieve a perspective that can only be gained from finally arriving at Point B.  The change from Point A to Point B was substantial and I had not even realized it nor been thrilled with the slow transformation that takes place when you embark on the journey to reach that looming Point B.  But now, I looked at my friends and realized I had done it.  I had TRULY experienced the freshman year all my peers had told me I would have.
I had so many memories, went to so many events, had so many jokes and laughs all from one year and they were invaluable; completely unique to the newness of freshman year and the opportunity to discover so much about the way you progress through time and make memories.  Its like a first love, really.  Seperate to any other experience because the feelings you experience in your first year provide your foundation.  This year becomes your roots.
Wholesome is the word.
This year was wholesome.  Not well rounded, or balanced, but wholesome.  Balanced and well rounded lack a sense of substance.  Those words are reminiscent of indifferent, lacking a spark and a general "okayness."
This year was not indifferent, or okay in anyway.
This year was WHOLESOME. This year was GREAT.
Every bad and good thing that went into this year provided me a specific experience that I would not trade for anything.  At the end of it, I feel wholesome; enveloped by the lessons and beauty of what this year has brought to me in the form of memories, friends and experiences.  I felt an odd gratitude towards this year.  A thankfulness. I had a great kick start to another 3 years that were sure to be great.
I breathed in.
I have done it.
I had my doubts, but I honestly did it.
I had this freshman year that was truly and utterly amazing and as it comes to an end now, I had wished I hadn't rushed it along.
But I'm okay with it.  Because if rushing it along lead to my final product in this amazing position I established for myself, the rushing was worth it and surely a part of this ultimate feeling.
So, here is what I have to offer.
Whenever you create a timeline for yourself, whether it be a short timeline, long timeline, whatever, try to enjoy the parts in between A and B.  It will seem as if it drags on at times, and other times it will be the best parts of your journey, but when you reach the end of it, your Point B, face your arrival in the face and look at it with open eyes and an open heart and truly enjoy it. Accept it as your proof that you accomplished everything you set out to do.  Even if your journey swerved, changed, shifted, your Point B isn't a particular place, but the understanding that you MADE it.  Whatever "it" is for you.
Point B will be the best place you ever arrive at.
Look at all the bad that took you to Point B and thank it for the lessons you took away from it.
Look at all the good things that took you to point B and celebrate them as motivators to get you to where you are right now.
If you are happy at Point B, absorb every second of success and happiness that illuminates from being in that place.  Because, eventually, you will find yourself at the starting line of point A, setting yourself up to go on a
New journey.
One in which you may be scared, excited or determined.
Chances are, all of those things.
Whatever it be, take a moment to remember that Point B of yours.  Understand that everything that will happen to you on your journey will bring you there, and it will be worth it.  You may not see it right away, but Point B will arrive eventually and you will rejoice. Point B will turn into a reality, a now, and no longer be a far off place. Time can pass by quickly.  But when you get to where you're going, and truly take the moment to just BE in the places you are at, you will find that time does not pass by quickly until you reach your final destination.
Then,
It will seem as though it had.  But really, you are just looking at Point B and accepting that you made it.  It had once been an idea and now it is a reality and that is CRAZY.  But we are resilient beings, meant to survive, thrive and be GREAT.  Enjoy life, and enjoy your journey.  Point A is just as important as Point B and when you find your own time where you are laying outside with your friends, listening to their giddy chatting and laughing, you will see how great all the parts were, and with an honesty and grace,
Smile, and just enjoy the journey.