By Annalise Shupe
We’ve all heard different varieties of the same phrase before. I’ve heard the phrase throughout the entirety of my childhood; “Enjoy this time in your life because it’s going to be over before you know it, you’re going to miss it, so live in the moment.” Now a major stage of my life is over, I have graduated high school. With that, all of my “lasts of high school” have passed by.
My last high school assembly, pep fest, homecoming, prom, choir and band concert, vocal solos and competitions, and theatrical performances. Each and every one has come and gone. Many people have asked if the feeling of my high school years closing has sunk in yet. Frankly, it hasn’t. And I think I have an idea of why.
I can remember the first day of my senior year so vividly, it’s as if it were yesterday. Wide-eyed and excited for the year ahead of me, it was easy to live in the moment and cherish the experiences I had. Because I lived in the moment and tried not to miss a beat of my senior year, it was easier for me to say goodbye.
Closing the chapters of my high school years was easier because I was more than satisfied with what I had accomplished with my time at Fillmore Central High School. I was on the A honor roll for the entirety of my high school career, leading me towards being a member of Scholar Club. I was selected to be a member of the National Honor Society. I received Superior ratings at solo competitions and also received a Best In Site. I starred at the State One Act Competition; and these are just some highlights. Overall, I feel very accomplished for what I achieved in high school.
With all the activities, clubs, and organizations I was involved in, on top of my schoolwork, there was rarely a dull moment. I almost always had something to do or somewhere to be. Although my high school life was at times very hectic, I wasn’t always living in the moment.
Now that technology, social media, and online gaming are more accessible than ever, living in the moment can be difficult. This is especially true for my peers, who are now growing up surrounded by technology. Don’t get me wrong, technology has worked many wonders in our society, but technology can also be a large distraction from what we should be focusing on in life.
Personally, social media distracts me fairly easily. It distracts me from the things that truly matter in life, the little things that pass through our days that bring us joy, make us laugh, and make life a more enjoyable. Social media can be a great way to stay connected to friends and family and to find some good laughs, but it doesn’t compare to real-life experiences.
No matter how busy your life gets at times, or even if your career revolves around technology and social media, never forget to take a step back and take in everything that’s going on around you. It’s amazing the things that can pass you by when your head is stuck in the world of technology. Even though you may have heard the phrase numerous times in your life, it’s one that no one should forget. Live in the moment.
Annalise Shupe is a student at Fillmore Central High School. She is one of seven area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 19th year.
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