And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realise that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realise the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
This morning, I was sent this link. The person who sent me it quite often sends me links to posts by this guy, and I quite like him. He's down to earth, and funny. But reading the blog post above today, I smiled ruefully and sighed and thought "if only it were that easy...he has no idea how much work I have to do!". Over the last couple of weeks, I have found myself turning to people and saying "it is harder this year, isn't it? I'm not just imagining it?" and they all agree. However. There is no real reason why my third year should be harder than second year; all but one of my modules are mixed 2nd and 3rd year. The only explanation for this percieved rise in difficulty of the work in both my and my friends' minds, is that we are working harder. That we are putting more and more pressure upon ourselves to perform.
The air is full of panic. Occasionally talk turns from essays to exams and inevitably to post-graduation plans. We talk, briefly, and then there is a pause in which we all consider ourselves doomed to a life working in McDonalds, and then one person will say "anyway, let's not talk about that!" and we giggle in a terrified way and smoothly glide into safer waters.
Simon Stevens, the author of the aforementioned blog, wants us to take a deep breath and stop for a moment. To take the time to enjoy life. To slow down and stop racing towards the finishing line at breakneck speed and to appreciate all that is here and now.
What do you think? Is it that simple?
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
1 comment:
Hmm, I've had some musings of a similar sort recently with some friends of a similar fate.
Personally, I'm enjoying this year far more so far than the previous two. Yes, there's been more than a fair share of deadlines within tight timelines, and less than the preferred hours of sleep due to hopeless organisational skills.
But socially and in terms of a sense of satisfaction, it's definitely better. And while academia will get me the work I need, friends will give me the life I want. And that's what's important in the end.
We're all in this together...
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