The Importance of Being Introspective

I went to my school’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2011 three days ago. I was surprised at the plethora of emotions I felt as I watched my friends, dressed to the nines in their navy blue caps and gowns, walk across the stage to receive their hard-earned diplomas. I was sad, because I didn’t want to see them leave, and excited, because I knew that it was going to be me walking across that stage in a mere year. But I felt another emotion slowly creeping over me. Fear.

It’s a surreal experience to have life hit you over the head all at once. I sat in the pew in disbelief and wondering to myself where all the years, months, hours had gone. I was thinking about all the events in my life that led to my sitting down in that exact pew that night. I was thinking about my family, about my friends, about my childhood. It took a long time for me to process that I was going to be turning 18, I would be graduating, I would be packing my things, and leaving home for good. How can one ever be ready for that?

My senior year is going to go by fast. I know that because every year of my life that has passed has flown by faster, and faster, and faster. The sheer rapidity of the hours is stunning. I went from an innocent little girl, who had grand adventures in the woods in her backyard to a woman who has new worries, like picking out a good college. I won’t say that my metamorphosis has been an easy one. It’s been hard. But isn’t it always?

This summer is going to be very busy. I’ve got a lot of standardized testing left to take, I’m involved in the NJCL (National Junior Classical League), and my school’s club is hosting the annual statewide conference, I’m volunteering at the hospital, working on my senior thesis and defense, and I’m starting the college application process. But besides all that, I want to make this summer be the best in all my years at home. I want to see as many of my friends as I can, spend quality time with my family, and leave some extra time for some much-needed introspection. I know what you’re thinking. But yes, it can be done….right?

In Ephesians, the Bible offers this reassuring promise that I will be turning to often during the next year: “Let the LORD have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” I have a tendency to get overwhelmed sometimes. See why? But I need to constantly remind myself that life has a natural progression, and that all things happen for a reason. Before you stop reading, because you’re thinking that you don’t want to read a bunch of clichés, think about your own life and the general business that you have in it. Stop for a while, just sit, maybe play some soothing music for ambiance, and let the peace of God wash over you. Don’t let life just run past you.

Jenny Combs

Team 2: Servant Scholars

Grade 11

Alabaster, AL

1. 

   Lisa Jackson says:

   December 18, 2011 at 9:03 pm

   This was very a beautiful post.

   However, I am sure that you will do well after high school. It sounds as if you know what you need to do and as if you are working on it.

   Best of luck.

   reply

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