Peripheral Vision

When I think about my life and my future, I think of a bumpy, rough path filled with crevasses and rocks. Looking back at the previous year after reading David Foster Wallace’s “This Is Water” speech, I can see parallels from his anecdotes to my life. Although not to the certain extent as Wallace had described, I had an extremely hectic and rigorous schedule, something that I had never experienced to the extent that I did last year. I would wake up at 6:30 AM in the morning, wash my face and brush my teeth, go to school, get crushed by my tests, and be ready to go home by the time the final bell rang at 2:10 PM. Except I wouldn’t go home. Despite being stressed out and wanting nothing more than a nice, long nap, I would begrudgingly trek my way to the locker room to get ready for wrestling practice. The instant scent of pheromones and cologne, despite serving as an adrenaline rush, only worsened my day. After the two-and-a-half-hour-long practice, in which I would burn to the extent of 1000 calories, I would go home sopping wet and miserable, in time to either attend another two-and-a-half-long class or on fortunate days, be able to start my homework. This was my sophomore year. I can only imagine how strenuous this year is going to be. I can only imagine how difficult my years beyond high school will be: going to sleep in the morning, waking up in the morning, going to my classes, going to work, finishing my homework, and studying in the morning. David Foster Wallace referenced these difficulties and struggles of an average human in his speech to college students. However, the main takeaway that I had from his speech was his emphasis on the idea of perspective and understanding others. Admittedly, I may have come off as selfish and self-centered in this post and during my complaints to others last year. After all, I’m not the only person going through struggles. Nor do I have anywhere close to the most rigorous schedule. In retrospect, I am a normal human, the same as any other. Through this understanding, I feel as if I have become more prepared for what life has in store for me; perhaps not in terms of capability, but in terms of accepting what is to come.