Not all those who wander are lost //

March 24, 2017

Some say that 'those who wander are lost' - or at least have the potential to get lost. I say the only thing I'm bound to get lost in is the marvelous beauty I constistantly find around me. I get lost in the wonder of the universe as I gaze at the nature surrounding me.

I had a lot of big decisions to make. Where should I attend college? What degree should I get?... It was a lot. I wasn't really sure what I wanted but I knew I was content at home. The isolation of my home town gave me freedom. I know that sounds ironic, but it's so true. Since my town was small and so far from everything and anything, it gave me the freedom to explore and wander as I liked. I would go to a field and gaze at the sky as the vivacious colors of the melting sun took my breathe away. I would watch from my porch at night, the only light in the sky being the light of the moon and stars and sit and deeply contemplate the decisions I was having to make.

Long story short : I decided to live a life of adventure and move to the city for school. I moved about thirteen hours away from the home I loved so dearly. Most may not consider going to school an adventure, but I sure do. It was such a change for me and unlike anything I had experienced before. After time, I realized the city wasn't the thing for me, but I don't regret coming here at all. Although the foggy haze that devoured the tall buildings and the lack of the sweet smell in the air were some of the things I disliked the most about the city, I realized there were some very positive things.

I met some of the most amazing people in the cities. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about having to socialize with a lot of other people but they were so beneficial to my stay in the city. They poured into my life and loved me so deeply. They helped me to find myself and supported me no matter what, even if my decisions (like moving back home) hurt them. My adventure lasted almost ten months and everyday was a new adventure to me. Walking around town and discovering something new, meeting new people, trying new things, it never ended.

Since I was still unsure of what exactly I wanted to do while away, some of my family would tell me that I was lost and didn't know what to do with my life. I would disagree with that. I was not lost, I was wandering - discovering. Not all those who wander are lost.

- Emily