Commencement Day — OSU graduation 2021
Finally, the day arrived when we all graduated. A journey that began with people coming together from different parts of the world with a similar goal in mind to build a better tomorrow for themselves. Some wanted to call the US — home, while others wanted to explore what laid in this part of the world. Based on how we experienced things around us, we all had our separate journeys. Journeys to become a better version of ourselves, towards self-exploration and realization. Somewhere we all had our moments of breaking down, building up, and taking a stand.
While my journey at Oregon State has been full of ups and downs, there is nothing in the world I would trade these experiences for. Cheers to all those experiences that made me who I am today and everything that will form the basis for anything that I will do next.
With everything that I learned here, I have curated a list of important realizations that I have had throughout my journey. Below are a few things that I never want to forget in my life; abiding by these has made me a much happier person than I ever was.
- Everything in life is about energy; what you focus on the most is what you become.
We become what we tend to focus on the most. If we want to become stay positive, we should focus on positive things and learn to be grateful for things that we have. Once we become aware of our own emotions and thoughts, we start investing our energy into better things.
2. There is a time when you sow and when you reap. You can’t expect immediate results.
I wish I had realized this early on, in my time at OSU. I always expected immediate results and bashed myself for not being enough. But I am grateful that I finally learned this and started being patient with myself. This is not just true for our work but also for our friendships and relationships. Everything takes time, so be patient.
3. Life does not always work according to your plan. The only thing in your control is to accept what is right in front of you and enjoy it at this moment. Because if you focus too much on what you want next, you forget to enjoy what is right in front of you. All you have to do is keep your best feet forward, focus on the right thing and wait for life to unfold.
If you are facing a difficult time, remember, “This too shall pass!” Everything has an end. Live by it, in all times. If you are happy today, remember this will end; live it, enjoy it, and don’t develop an ego. If you are sad, remember that time heals everything.
4. People act according to their own experiences or past learnings. So do not let anyone else kill your vibe. Take a chill pill and let it go!
5. Finally, meeting the right people who support you in your journey and accept you the way you are will make you feel safe and at home. I am eternally grateful for my friends who supported me through ups and downs.
I am not sure what will happen next, whether these friendships are here to stay forever, but what I am sure about is that these people will be an important part of my story wherever I go.
Looking forward to where life takes me next.
