I think that numerous things in life can be depicted by a spectrum. For almost all components of our life, concrete and abstract, there are two extremes and we fall on a different point between those extremes.

Lets say we were talking about personality. This spectrum could range from carefree/laid back on one end, to stern/uptight on the other. Every person could place a pin between those two personality types to demonstrate their unique character. Although personality is innately subjective, meaning there is not a better or worse choice, I believe that for certain spectrums, there is a so called “magic spot” that can be found. If we choose to live in this magic spot then it will in turn multiply our joy and peace exponentially.

Being a rookie college student, one spectrum that has caught my attention lately is the one that spans from complacency to restlessness. More specifically, I have been trying to discover the “magic spot” between being comfortable and happy with my current location and situation, and having an uncontrollable urge to go new places, do new things, and truly discover my passions. I chose to use colorful diction to illustrate the latter half of that statement because recently, a new societal niche of people has developed; these people have a superficial idea of wanderlust. They praise adventure not because they have experienced it firsthand, but because they saw some fancy photos on Instagram or Tumblr. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is completely necessary to have a desire for more in life (especially when this desire is genuine, not based on a fad), but only focusing your efforts on the future can be tragic.

The Creator of everything magnificent in this world places beauty all around us, all the time, at every point on our timeline; although it is unarguable that He is holding an unfathomable amount of pure joy for us in his heavenly kingdom, I do not think that there is a point in our worldly lives in which a bucket of happiness is dumped on us. God spreads his purpose evenly. He is like a "Super-Soaker" that gradually refreshes us with a mist of purpose throughout our lives.

Therefore, appreciate your current state because God has placed you in it for a reason so there must be beauty present, even if it is camouflaged. If your thoughts are consumed by the fact that you would rather be somewhere else in your timeline, then you will neglect to acknowledge your current circumstances and seek out the reason why they are there.

One metaphor that helps me grasp the slippery nature of life is looking at it like a river. We are born on one side, and on the other side lies the pearly gates to a lush forest, unpolluted by imperfect human hands, hearts and minds. God’s plans for our life are like stepping stones placed throughout the river, and if we stay on these rocks then we will be able to avoid slipping into the current of the world. Its tempting to run across these stones as fast as we can, but when we do that, there is a greater chance of us falling into the river, and furthermore when we rush we will not be able to appreciate how each stone is beautiful and unique in its own way.

It is inevitable that we will make it to the other side eventually, so let's just enjoy the ride.

-Spess