Growing Up Doesn’t Mean Growing Old

I spent the last three weekends traveling around the United States trying to prepare myself for the future. I’m trying to get new job/internship opportunities in the business world as well as continue to “find myself” in my travels and the people that I meet on them.

It’s funny to me that I say that now because just a couple of years ago I was the type of person that loved to be alone. I didn’t feel that I needed any friends or family to help me when things got hard. I thought I knew it all and that I could do everything on my own. Boy was I wrong.

During my travels across Europe this Summer, I was fortunate enough to meet dozens of people that seemed to each be placed in my life by the Universe for a specific reason; to teach me something. And they all taught me different, life-changing things. When I came back, I filled my mind with the poisonous mentality that Europe was better than America in every way, shape, and form and that the people here couldn’t teach me anything close to what my friends overseas did (stupid, right?).

Well boy was I wrong…again. This past weekend I flew to the North East for job training with 30 other people my age. While I was only there for 2 days and 2 nights, here is what I learned:

1. No matter what you look like or how you feel about yourself, truly beautiful human beings will bring out the good in you and help you shine when you feel worthless.

2. Never judge someone by their outward appearance. 9 times out of 10 you will be wrong.

3. The saying, “When one door closes, another one opens” is just as true as anything I’ve ever heard.

and finally,

4. Growing Up Doesn’t Mean Growing Old

“Live every day as if it is your last” is a saying that I’ve heard countless times but was never able to actually implement. But this weekend I was able to say, “I’m never going to see these people ever again (and if I do it won’t be for a long while). Why would I try to be someone I’m not to impress them.” With that, I decided to hold nothing back, and because of that I was able to make 30 brand new friends that I hope to stay in contact with for a very long time.

Like everyone else out there, I have insecurities. But instead of letting these insecurities take over and make me a miserable person, I was able to push them aside and enjoy the beautiful life that I have been blessed with and share the company of amazing people that I had just met. The saying is true, you know: you never know when your last day will be. So enjoy it while you can.

Share with me a time when you were able to push a fear or insecurity aside to more fully enjoy your life! I miss hearing your stories.

All of my love,

Jack

P.S. – Sorry for the rambling-style post. I miss communicating with you guys and just wanted to put out some quick content before my connecting flight. I hope to speak with you all again very soon.