Monday, January 20, 2014

Reflection Walk

 
 
Took a little drive in the good ole Ford today, got lost, but finally made it to Mt. Peak in the prestigious land of Enumclaw - the pride of Washington state. More than anything, I enjoyed having an adventure by myself. I've felt really trapped lately. I find that I have a threshold for organization vs. chaos in my daily life. If my schedule tips too far to either side, the imbalance drives me crazy. The decision to walk/hike in this particular location was a last minute idea and I just went with it. I hadn't been here for years but it took me back.



Reflecting on the next part of my life, I'm nervous about the path I'm going to take (mostly the uncertainty of what path that is). Childhood has afforded me the opportunity to pursue different interests and hobbies, but I'm frightened by the commitment and responsibility I'm going to have to take for my soon to come choices. It's easy for me to make the best of a poor situation but to carry on knowing that my actions directly led to wherever I find myself scares me. At the same time though, I don't want to stop moving and I know everyone feels the same anxiety.







*insert cheesy metaphor for the mists of uncertainty that surround my future here*
 





I remember I took a picture of the same rock formation for a biology project 3 years ago. That seems like it happened so long ago. I wish I could know how I will perceive this previous year 3 years from now. For example, I remember Sophomore year as being easy going and relaxing, but I didn't think of it that way then. How am I going to remember Senior Year? That's another thing I get anxious about: not utilizing my time well. There's something wonderfully rebellious about wasting a perfectly beautiful day doing nothing. Of course, those aren't the days you remember. But is it better to enjoy the moment or have a happy past? Wow, this blog is getting really pensive. Sorry 'bout that.




 
On the lighter side, one of my new year's resolutions was to take more selfies. Life's too short right? There's also periods when I'm upset that I'm not taking enough pictures or journaling enough. They're little spells of my life with insignificant events I can't remember without some sort of written memento, and I WOULD like to remember them if possible. You forget the little things, and sometimes they make the difference. I had a club soccer coach that used to say, "Boys, tell me, is it the big things, or the little things that are going to help us win the game?" I'd always get really upset cause he'd focus on the little things and then we'd suck at the big things lol. Man I need a haircut, I mean LOOK AT THAT! What would I look like bald? Hmmm well I got that to look forward to. Actually now that I think about it, both my grandpas still have quite a lot of hair. Wow, looks like things are turning out okay for me!  
 
This format is killing me. Well anyways, thank you Mrs. Myers for the assignment. I found it very relaxing and a genuinely good time to reflect. I'm only sorry I didn't have such a profound experience as you did on your first new years walk. However, I own my hike today and I'm thankful for the time to myself. I know I don't have everything together in my life but I trust God with the rest. Is it bad to set high expectations for a year? More importantly though, is it wrong to set low expectations? Does optimism mean searching for something that might not be there, or dealing with your situation with the best attitude possible? Ooo good questions. See, this walk really did give me a lot to consider. The one thing I'm sure about though is that I'll never forget about it because the memory is saved in this blog.    :)

4 comments:

  1. Keaton! You made it out to Enumclaw. Quite nice isn't it? I live maybe 10 minutes away from that "mountain".
    Anyways, I am glad to see that you made a trip to a place that has little to no people around it. Personally, I have hiked here in order to clear my head and make myself feel better. I see that you have experienced that sweet sense of nature and the creations of God around you. To answer your ending questions, go ahead and set a high expectation for this year. You have a lot to look forward to: last semester of senior year, college, and beginning to make your life ahead of you. Trust God, considering none of us have any idea what our future paths contain. I hope that every time you begin to feel stressed out or pressured, you go to a place quite where only God can surround you. I pray that this last semester does not drive you to the point of insanity with the AP tests, homework, and colleges. However, I hope you found some kind of peace within yourself. When you feel trapped, take a trip and hike somewhere quiet. This place has amazing memories for me. I hope it was a saving grace for you.

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    1. I hope you go to a quiet place, not a quite place! (;

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  2. Neither sides of my family has hair... I'm done for... :( Anyways, Keaton I am feeling the same thing your are feeling. I hope I perceived this right, but I too have no idea where I am going in the future or how to prepare for it now. I only know what I want to do, but I am lacking the key part of direction. It's hard to choose the right path I know, but don't be afraid to ask for help, especially from the big man. God will put people in your life that you will learn from and that you will teach. It's funny how He does things, but with out a doubt they always work.

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  3. 15/15
    Keaton, you are such a mixture of humor, wit, & levity, and on the other side, feverish questions. From what I can tell, one side enables you to survive and thrive, while the other pushes you to the ambitious heights and depths of both achievement, and contemplation. This blog captures both. For some reason, it makes me think of Jacob wrestling with the angel. (?)

    I'm glad you took the walk. It sounds like you needed it. I hope you're still reckoning with those questions.


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