Item of the Week

Throughout my childhood my family would categorize my latest wanted item as the "item of the week". One week I would be really into something like yo-yos, skateboarding, or the harmonica and the next I would move onto something else. Many of the items I would actually find a way to acquire either through my parents giving in to my constant nagging, or by using my own money. I have wanted a lot of things over the years, and it's funny to think that the things that made the most difference were the ones that I did not get. Going without makes you value the important things in your life. You can't, and shouldn't, always get what you want.

Focusing on one objective is a difficult task. Too much focus and you can burn yourself out, but too little and you will only get so far. I have changed my mind so many times in my short life that I have never really been able to focus on something for the necessary time to really see results. An undergraduate degree in a major I just kinda of picked out of a hat is the only substantive accomplishment that spans a time frame longer than a few months.

It often seems like I have let indecision guide me more than actual decision. I honestly don't know why I chose to go to Iowa State. I really didn't even explore other schools. I have figured out, to some extent, that researching multiple options is not a bad thing. My reasons for doing things have all too often been from the advice of others. This could spawn from a desire to please people, the lack of knowing what I want, or the fact that I want it all. Often, it was probably just the easy way out.

While formal education is important I can honestly say that what I learned wasn't from the subjects of the courses I took. Instead, it was about the theme of education. Learn, work through problems, and figure out what you want from your education. Learning is part of our everyday lives. I went into school thinking I could be a lawyer, or a politican and that someday I would do big things. All that was on my mind was the fact that I could someday accomplish something that would impress other people. In my early years that was what getting good grades was about. In the last few I figured out that what I really got from school was what I needed. A swift kick to the groin. Life is not about impressing people, or doing what others tell you. Life is figuring out what you want and going after it. Be confident in your abilities and live up to your own standards.

Growing up I was easily persuaded by what others thought was cool, and to some extent I am still that way. I am trying to figure out who I am as an individual while being confident that people will still respect me for that person. The "item of the week" often guided me by laying out what I wanted. I still have my wants, but I recognize that if  I decide for myself I can get what I need.

Note - This weeks item is a mustache.