TJ B.
Photography by Kinsey Goodman
If you’re reading this, I need you to remind yourself to never take life too seriously.
Remind yourself that we all have an ending, and that life has no real rules to it. Make small changes to your existence so you can embrace its gift. Life is giving back to us constantly, in order to recognize this gift called life, you can literally start anywhere, big or small. Next time you play a song, try listening to its lyrics or its story rather than just the melody. Next time you fantasize about what tomorrow may bring, remind yourself to be present in that very moment. Next time you meet somebody new, invest in yourself to introduce an authentic you. You need to remind yourself that taking risk is acceptable. With risks can come great failures or regrets, but please know that you’ll never escape these regardless of how you live. Life is not about avoiding regret, life is meant for learning and growing from the regret.
My dad raised me with the advice that we’re human, and he argues that we are meant to live like humans. What he means is that if you don’t experience a good cry and a true laugh by the end of each day, then you didn’t live that day to the fullest. I’m a firm believer in living as a human. It’s human to tell your friends that you love them, it’s human to trip and fall up the stairs, and it’s human to jump up and down with excitement when reading a college acceptance letter. Don’t mask those moments or the emotions behind them, live them, embrace them, and be that moment.
A little over a month ago, death stared at me directly in the face as my best friend and I hydroplaned off of the side of a cliff out in the middle of nowhere Wyoming. Our car did cartwheels and twirls as we both plummeted 150 feet down that mountain. After all of the commotion that followed came to ease, I was finally alone in the safety of my bedroom, back in Virginia. I sat on the edge of my bed and started to laugh. I had to decide whether I wanted to carry on quietly in life or if I wanted to share my story for all who were willing to listen. Grabbing my phone with the hand that didn't have a cast on, I started typing away at the keyboard with one thumb, ready to share how I had just cheated my death.
Take away that it’s alright to share your happy moments, along with your darkest ones. If I had died in that car accident, I would have died and been buried with so many unspoken thoughts. Be vulnerable with yourself, take a risk or two, and say or act how you really feel. If you’re reading this, wear your seatbelt, text people daily even if it feels weird, and remind yourself that life is not actually that serious at all. Learn to love what is around you. It sounds stupid, but admire the clouds on their good days, and switch up your coffee order for once. I’m begging you, holding that door open and making that person jog a bit is worth it. If there's even one thing you take away from my story, remind yourself to live in the now.
TJ B., Virginia Tech
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