The anniversary of my leaving New York City is this next weekend, and I can’t believe I’m still whining about transitions. I’m profoundly disappointed in myself.
I have a lot to be grateful for, no doubt. I’ve made a few good friends here, which is more than I could have ever expected.
I have teachers who really like me, who open up a phenomenal world of thinking and writing, and through their perfect balance of scholarship and passion and faith, motivates me to just keep going.
There’s always the church, its trueness, God at its helm, directing with an exalted balance of omniscience and omnipotence and love. Despite who I’ve tried to be or what I’ve done, this too, keeps me going.
Technology lets me remember family. My family has grown in the past few weeks, and I now have four new siblings, with in-laws and 10 nieces and nephews.
Hopefully these things can bump my attitude out of the shadows, and I can learn to be happy where I am. Hopefully these things will trump my bitterness about feeling left out and removed from everyone else’s lives. Hopefully these things will help me accept how friends and family are moving on, because I should be able to keep up anyway, right? No one has any excuse not to share what’s going on with one another.
Not wanting to share is different, though, which I can completely understand. Regardless of these things, I’ve managed to alienate myself from people I love and consider my best and closest friends. Even with the technology, the distance makes it more palpable. I’ve managed to create a comfortable little pocket of misery, and I’ve never felt more alone, and of course no one wants to be around or hear about that.
So what do I do? Do I behave like a proper Mormon and fake it ’til I make it? That should be an easy enough thing to pick up, as hardly anyone here makes it apparent that they’re suffering or having any difficulty. And I get that living the gospel helps makes life easier to deal with, but it does not cover up the hard knocks.
I’ve also found that not a lot of people like to listen (anymore). They say they’ll always be there; they say I can talk about anything. It’s not true.
Choosing friends has always been one of my strongest points. Knowing what they need; figuring out what they can offer me.
Thanks to those who sent concerned texts or emails or facebook messages this past week. I know I normally don’t privatize my blog or turn off my facebook wall or lock my twitter account, but I just got overwhelmed. Thanks for noticing. It really means a lot.
Back to the drawing board.
It’s not a bad thing. That’s the beauty of the gospel, the potential to progress, the ability to heal after life knocks you down, leaves you tender and with a few bruises.
I’ll get through this.
Time for another round.
A Little Thinking 
We have always noticed that when we’ve made major moves, it has taken about a year to feel settled, balanced, and at peace with our decision. I once heard someone I admire say, “Even if you know it is right, that doesn’t mean it will feel good.” That has helped me with some of my personal struggles. Not that it made them easier, but it’s nice to know that I have permission to feel sad or frustrated even when I’m taking the right steps.
I know we don’t know each other well–it’s hard to build strong friendships when you only see someone in French class, only have that brief time to get to know someone. But for all that I’ve seen, one thing’s for sure–no matter how hard things get, we always find a way to get through it. Things may be tough, but you’ll make it through. Try to see the positive in what your given and you’ll find that you’ve been given more than you realize. I know for myself I always get to the point where I’m sick of where I’m at in life, and I’m just waiting for the next stage. But I’m always brought to think of the stage before the one I was in when I was looking forward to this part of life.
Maybe that just sounds like rambling, but I thought I’d throw it out there anyways.
-Brian
Brian, I really appreciate your kind words. It means a lot, and I know I’m not the only going through what I’m going through.
All the support adds up. Thank you.