Layla M. Halterman lahalterman@ursinus.edu
Dear Ursinus Family,
For as long as I can recall, I’ve always been a wisdom wackadoo. Call me crazy, but more than half of my camera roll is stored with tidbits of inspiration. The verbiage is comforting, especially now that graduation is merely five weeks away, and even though I have a tangible idea of where I am headed, I still feel anxious and uneasy. And so after debating this month’s topic of discussion, I thought there was no better way to combat negative feelings than to request perspective from a venerable sage.
Mr. Harry Milne, a close family friend, and WWII veteran who lost his leg at the whopping age of twenty-five is someone I cannot help but be in awe of. His spunk and determination are commendable, and after recently turning 104 years young, I was dying to know his secret(s) to living a fulfilled, long life. This is what he had to say:
1. Everyone has a story. Be kind. You never know the pain that plagues others’ hearts. You may think you do, but you have no idea the extent, so be gentle.
2. Life is and never will be perfect, so do not wait until it is to be happy. Choose happiness now. Yes, now, in this present moment.
3. Embrace uncertainty. Let go of control. You do not have to have all the answers at one given time. Have faith. Everything works out. Easy for me to say, but I promise.
4. Be thankful for every chapter – even the ones that may bring you to your knees. Fight the good fight. Life is worth living.
5. Life is short. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. It might be hard to do so sometimes, but it is much harder to keep carrying the weight of anger and resentment.
And now, we seniors are approaching the end of what we once felt would last forever. If you find yourself worried about the transition, know your feelings are valid. But do me a fa- vor and live with the notion that each chapter holds the capacity to be better than the last, but much like Harry, it is up to us to make it one worth reading.
Yours truly, Layla