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Nate O'Neill Blog
Hometown: Winchester, KS
Status in college: Senior
Major: Business
Age: 21
4.18.06
A hammock is really a wonderful thing. Right now, I’m sitting out on my balcony, lounging in a Nicaraguan hammock with the sun shining down on me. It’s surprisingly difficult to see the screen on my laptop in direct sunlight. Well, I guess it’s not surprising, but it’s still difficult. The hammock just went up about a week ago, when it really started to get nice outside. I already had the hammock, so we decided to go to Home Depot and put our engineering to the test. Twenty six dollars, about two hours, and a bunch of PVC pipe later, we had a hammock stand that we were pretty sure would kill anyone who sat in it. Yet here I am, a week later, and surprisingly, not maimed in a serious hammock-related accident. I’m pretty sure there’s an object lesson i n that, and I could probably make some sort of metaphor about college life from it, but I’m really to relaxed to do that right now. Really, motivation to do anything has been a little bit of an issue lately. See, I’m a senior. I’m graduating in about three weeks now, and senioritis has hit me like dump truck. I’m sure those of you who are seniors in high school are feeling it too. Classes, homework, papers, and 17th century political philosophers sort of seem less important when a whole lot of future is staring you in the face. Which brings us back to me, sitting in the hammock, in the sun. Here’s your Spanish lesson for the day. You know that feeling, when you’re totally at ease, no worries, just enjoying the moment? In Costa Rica, they have a phrase for that. Pura vida (pronounced poo-rah vee-dah). It means pure life. It’s the idea of living life as simply and uncluttered as possible. I think it’s way to common that we get really stressed out and caught up in things. Especially this time of year for students, with papers, exams, and for the seniors, the future. I’m trying to figure out what I’m gonna do for the rest of my life. Most of you should have a little longer, but you’re still trying to figure out how to spend the next four years. Here’s my advice: don’t stress out. Enjoy the time you have. As a guy named Phil once told me: "Life is life. Live it." Sometimes, there’s just way too much stuff. The future, school, relationships, sports, popularity, clubs, fashion, it can all take way to much precedence in your life. Don’t let it take over. Make sure you get things right. There ’s one thing that should always be coming first. God. He has a plan. He’s got a plan for you, and one for me. We just haven’t figured it all out yet. The cool thing is, we don’t need to. Take a look at Matthew 6:25-34. Great stuff, especially if you’re stressed. So, anyway, I think I’m gonna take a nap in my hammock. This sun is making me pretty sleepy, and I was sort of typing a paper when I would have rather been sleeping last night. Just remember, no matter how crazy things get, God’s got a plan. Take a deep breath. Sit back. Maybe go pick up a hammock. Pura vida. Peace.
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