Breaks

This ‘Winter’ Break, often incorrectly uttered Spring Break by many Michiganders, I decided to go home.  I wanted a break.  A break from the hustle and bustle of college life, from my life in Ann Arbor.  I wanted to go somewhere comfortable, new, refreshing.  College is great, but it sure is difficult.  Our generation seemed to be programmed to multi-task from the womb.  With cell phones and computers we are always connected, always seen.  I often idealize the time when dorm rooms had one telephone, one mode of communication, of connection from you to the outside world.  I imagine girls sitting by the phones for hours waiting for Mr. Right to call, or boys with their sweaty palms jumping at the sound of each methodical ring waiting for the sonorous voice of their beauty on the other end.

Ah, yes, the simple life, the easy life.

As I was discussing my life with my Father this past week, he commented how draining it must be to be so involved in x, y, and z and still expect to have a riveting social life.  I dramatized my congruency with his opinion, feeling the pressure release as I found I was not alone.  Society, parents, and even ourselves put pressure on us to have the resume with the most depth showing how active we are and what we are capable of.  We must prove ourselves to the world.

Life is all about balance, I suppose.  I dare to believe that in all that we do, we still find the time to relax, to enjoy the world around us.  To smile at those who pass us, or to even be daring and strike up a conversation with them instead of walking to the beat of our own drum blaring in our ears by our ipods.  To take in the chill of the winter breeze as it stings our nose or to stop, close your eyes, and imagine the sun rose that morning to be your spot lot, to follow you and to warm you.  Allow yourself to feel special.

Remember that we are exquisite beings who are capable of completing many tasks at any given moment, but that doesn’t mean that a moment spent on one task is wasted.  No, let it be those moments where you are so invested, so absorbed in one thing where you can find freedom, relaxation and peace.

Continue to be involved, because as much as these activities wear on us, they also shape us and provide pride for who we are.  Just remember that it does not take an official school break to actually allow you to take a break.  Partake in some unpretentious, brainless act a day to release the pressure.  Do something that feels like home to you.  Take Dorthoy’s word for it, “There’s no place like home.”

Enjoy the rest of your ‘break’! ; )

Sara majors in Art History and enjoys long walks.