Friday, December 19, 2003
Growing Up Diva
We have a darling bunch of young college women who visit our site regularly and call themselves “The Funnies.” (Still dying to know how the name came about….hint hint).
We LOVE The Funnies! I’ve heard Zo wax poetic many times about one Funny (Funnie?) in particular whom she and Daniel both adore. Wish I would’ve met her when she was still around the lou…..
Anyhoo……
We extend our hands and hearts to all of you College Divas-in-Training out there. I remember well my college days. Well, most of them anyway (selective memory – it’s an invaluable thing). As a matter of fact, Zo and I met while in college. Geez-o-pete – that was…what – 12 years ago? (yikes! :-o )
Most of the strong friendships in my life right now were formed then. It’s an incredible time in one’s life. I discovered so much about myself then. Many times, it was painful. (And not just the getting-up-for-an-8:30-class-after-partying-until-4-part….haha). During college, I had a few significant (and not so significant) relationships; passed (and “incompleted") some courses; changed majors 3 times; had my heart broken many more times than that; created friendships (and destroyed them, with all of my unfortunately misguided power); followed some frightening fashion trends; stole a boyfriend (or two); made memories (on camera) that guarantee that I can never run for public office; laughed much; cried often; got a tattoo; met my husband; got married; had a baby, and graduated.
And you know what? The degree part – the class part, of course, was terribly important. But when I think back on my college years, it’s not the classes I remember nearly as much as LIFE - happening. Especially relationships. Not only with others, but with my Self as well. I alternated between loving my life and despising it with every fiber of my being. Recognizing that while I pointed the finger at others, there were three others pointed back at me.
You know what, girls? TREASURE this time. Every single, solitary microsecond. Treasure both the joyful, happy, fun, giddy FUNNY moments as well as the godawful, painful sh*tty ones. They will be moments that will stick with you forever…help to shape who you are. Help you learn WHO you are. And it goes by so very quickly.
The best advice I can give you? Everything (every thing) happens for a reason. Good or bad, the choices you make, the choices that are seemingly made for you – happen so you can become the person you are meant to be. Embrace them. Feel your feelings all the way through – do not – do NOT squelch the feelings that you think you shouldn’t have, just go with it (don’t always necessarily feel them around other people, but feel them. ;) )
I know this advice may sound a little crazy (especially when it comes to the rougher moments), but someday, when you have time to reflect, you will know it to be true.
I wish you joy, love, luck, happiness, growth-through-pain and the discovery of your own possibilities!
Be a Diva, ladies. All your lives, be a Diva.
DivAdvocatingly Yours,
Vi