Written by Emma Weber
The close of a year and the beginning of a new one creates an exciting energy for everyone. Gyms become full, books get started and bad habits get ditched. In some way, all of us want a reason to be better, to become the person we wanted to be all year but got too busy to work for. Over the break, I got to go on the Harding Honors trip to Greece. On New Year’s, my friends Audrey, Angel, Tiane and I laid on the floor and watched the disco ball turn while having an existential crisis. After the New Year countdown, I was left with the lingering feeling that I was not prepared for what was next. In my room, I decided to write down things I could focus more on, things that could act as a pulse to my slowly fading lust for life. What was I going to let “in” this year and what was I going to shut “out”?
In: Mixing gold and silver, strong coffee, eating breakfast, memorizing monologues of my favorite movies, googly eyes, going on walks with my friends, setting boundaries and spending more time alone.
My Dad asked me over Christmas break why I never talked about the things I liked in my articles. I corrected him and showed him the plethora of pieces in which I spoke on my deep love and admiration for different things around me, such as my friendships with Willie and Bob, or the music that has inspired me and my friendships that have stood the test of hardships. Then, I showed him how even my critiques reveal parts of my passion. My period piece comes from the love I have for the women in my life. My piece on female athletes came from the 15 plus years I spent dedicated to competitive sports. Even my review of the Harding Centennial was created from the love I have felt by people who I see working tirelessly to make Harding a better place for everyone.
What we let into our lives is what we let shape us. We are what we pursue. If we want to make it biblical, 1 Corinthians even states, “Bad company ruins good morals.” Whatever way you take it, it is important to look at what you are letting occupy space in your life. Taking time to decide what gets to stay in the forefront of your energy is necessary if you want to produce better results.
Out: Making sense of senseless actions, pushing myself into places I don’t fit, micro- trends, owning too many clothes, over-exceeding my time limit and trimming my own hair.
I don’t know if it’s because I am a military kid or because I am a youngest child, but I have a very bad relationship with letting go. I either hold closely onto something until there are claw marks or I erase it completely and never look back. This unhealthy attachment to making things mean something is a struggle that has taught me a lot over the years. This year, however, I hope to let go of the aspects of my life that no longer serve me with love and peace.
What we choose to let go of is also something that makes us who we are. Sometimes it feels wrong to let go of things you are comfortable with. I’ve learned hoarding even beautiful items creates a mess in your life; too much anger, pleasure, sweatshirts or time will only make your life imbalanced. You are allowed to honor your past and the things you once valued without trying to make them work in a different part of your life.
What I’m learning this year is to follow the words of Po from “Kung Fu Panda.” After defeating his enemy, Shen, by learning to master Chi by letting go of his past wounds and accepting his present as a gift, Po says, “You gotta let go of that stuff from the past, because it just doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now.” A new year gives you the opportunity to release the things making your life stuffed and replace them with things that produce more fruit.
