MIAGD: make it a great day

I have six students who, he graduated this past spring, preparing to leave for college. While they are excited for this new adventure, there’s also the hesitation, and a bit of anxiety.

33 years ago, as I was preparing to leave for Ball State University, I suggested to my mother that I live at home, and commute 20 miles to campus. Even with scholarships covering everything, I figured that by commuting, we could save more money.

Then, Mother delivered one of her all time best lines for which I shall always be grateful: “As much as I would love to have you at home, if you stayed here, you would not get a true college experience. You would not get to meet all the people in the dorm, or spend time with people in your chosen area of music.”

Damn! She was right on the money.

Now that I’ve experienced parenthood, I can appreciate the courage she manifested to push her eldest a baby bird out of the nest.  However, at that time in my life, it was one of the most wonderful things she could’ve ever done for me.

I was forced to spread my wings, and begin the new adventures. And, boy did I ever spread those wings and fly.

I think I want my students are experiencing, just like I did 33 years ago, has everything to do with fear. What a dreadful, imprisoning feeling fear can be.

Leaving the comfort zone can be terrifying, or aggravating.  But, in order to grow into our full selves, and to scour new paths of knowledge, adventure, and excitement, we’ve got to fly from the nest. 

While you are spreading your wings to soar, don’t forget to make it a great day!