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Health and Wellness

Appreciating The Darkness

C. L. Quebedeaux

Feb 28, 2017

Louisiana State University

332

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"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars."
-- Og Mandino

It is quite the cosmic quandary that the natural state of the universe is darkness. Everything we observe with our eyes is in the form of visible light, which is by all aspects, the antithesis of darkness. Light and darkness are, however, essential to one another; without dark, empty space, light cannot exist. If we live in light for our entire lives, we may never understand the significance of it. Similarly, we are meant to appreciate the darkness we were put into so that we may fully understand the significance of our ability to shine.

I have spent a significant amount of my brief existence wondering why I am here, and who I am meant to be. I have lived life believing spirituality to be for the poor, the weak, or the dumb. I once allowed myself to be placed in a molding made for someone else, ripping off parts of myself to fit in it. This is the greatest tragedy ever to occur, that someone would dismantle their God-given being in order to fit into a term as subjective as "normal."

Why, then, do we allow ourselves to be controlled – and even destroyed – by a society that does not know its own self? Why do we allow the collection of the world's shame and failed attempts at perfection define our existence, as though we are not made to be beautifully independent and wonderfully ourselves? It is because we all long to be fulfilled, but the proper way of reaching that is not mainstream. But no matter how inadequate society may be at giving us fulfillment, it should still be seen as a necessity in spiritual growth.

If spiritual connectedness were easily attainable, we would not know how significant it actually is. Through the metaphorical "darkness" that is the materialistic, spiritually-deprived society we live in, we are meant to shine brighter every day, not only because we are able to, but because we are meant to. As far as I can tell, life is meant to be embraced at every aspect, not just the ones we find pleasant. Appreciate the world you were put in, for only then will you fully understand the significance of the life you were given.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Appreciating The Darkness

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

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