Happiness is relative

When I tell people I'm a marketing and management double major, their eyes widen and they look a little shocked. They usually make an impressed noise and tell me that I'm ambitious, or they wrinkle their nose and ask, "Why?" Honestly, as a freshman coming into college, I didn't really even know myself. I just figured I'd get a business degree because it was "practical" and then I could find a way to do photography for the rest of my life later.

Surprisingly, I've found that my business classes align with my personality, drive, and dreams quite well.. Especially this semester. The sense of utter fascination and immersion that I get when I listen to my professors lecture makes me so excited about the future - and it's a refreshing feeling, especially after having to sit through hours and hours of pointless lessons that I didn't care about just to get "required" credit hours.

My favorite class this semester is called "Entrepreneurial Opportunity Recognition." I know, I know. It sounds stuffy and boring, and who the hell would care about recognizing entrepreneurial opportunities? It's all about money, right? Wrong.

I've only attended this class a grand total of three times this semester, and I have already gained so much insight into myself and into my drive and ambitions. The class focuses on teaching you about yourself - your strengths, your virtues, and the best possible way for you to succeed. I know it sounds very new age-y and much like something your weird aunt who's into crystals might subscribe to, but I think it's brilliant.

We recently read a book, The Monk and The Riddle, by Randy Komisar, and it was an invigorating read that truly inspired me. The premise of the book is rather simple - do what you want with your life and follow your passions instead of putting them on the back burner in the hopes that you can one day afford to do them. Komisar posits that in modern society, the desire for success and wealth overshadows our passions - we want to be rich and successful in the fastest way possible, and then once we've got that base, we feel that we can finally sit back and follow our passions because we are now "comfortable" and "safe."

Komisar also talks about general happiness and how being passionate about your work can make you an all-around happier person. His overall message resonates deeply with me, as I constantly strive to be a positive, happy person.

I've found that practice makes perfect, and the longer you practice, the more seasoned you get. I smile at the little things daily, like the feeling of the wind against my face as I bike to class, or the beautiful colors that whiz by me as I ride through the neighborhoods that lead right up to my incredible campus. I get excited for each day, because each day will bring with it a new sense of wonder, a new interaction with a friend (both old and new), and perhaps a little surprise here and there.

Life is beautiful, y'all. Take the time to stop every once in a while and appreciate all the amazing things around you. If you do it right, you may very well be surprised at just how many there are. :)

xx
ola