A friend and I were recently having a deep conversation; at one point, he said,
"What if there comes a point where life doesn't get any better? Like, for example, when I graduate college, I'll have no loans; if I'm in a relationship then, I'll be happy; and what about if I get/have a good job? I don't see it getting better than that." An all too typical fear; hell, I felt that way about 2009, as 2008 was the best year of my life. When we have all the things we want and/or all the things that make us happy, how can life be better?

I am living proof that like CAN and DOES get better. Before I start sounding too much like a motivational speaker, I will reference a time in my life where all was well. It was the Fall of 1999; I'd just started high school, had made a ton of new friends, was on the football team, was doing pretty decent in school, and was generally happy that I'd left Solon to start anew at Gilmour.

Then life got shitty.

Granted, I had my health, general happiness, and all the simple blessings one could ask for, but became too cocky in my situation and let it get to my head - the surge of friends, the "cool" parties, and the inflated and phony "status" of being on the football team (even though I wasn't that good; far from the best player) - all of these things went straight to my head and as a result, I said some stupid and self-righteous things, alienated some people, ultimately lost some friends, and felt, for a time, like a real loser.

Then life got better - I began to date my first "real" girlfriend, began to ground myself a bit, had a great summer, and began to relax a bit - this helped began to lay the framework for where I am today, I am 100% convinced. (Keep in mind that today, I am miles away from where I was then; in 5-10 years, I'm sure I'll be miles away from where I am right now).

The point in all this above? As cliched as it sounds, sometimes shit has to get worse before it gets better - it's always darkest before it's dawn, etc. - but the point is, it DOES almost certainly get better, in one way or another, and even even taking a second to contemplate how "it might never be this good" or "it might never be better than this" is wasteful and probably more harmful than helpful.

To give another example, 2003 was a phenomenal year. For one, I was able to bring 80 out of my class of 95 together for a year-end bash; at this party, all cliques seemed to dissolve and people mingled and interacted that I never thought would the week prior. The ensuing summer was totally jam; from graduation parties, to working as a caddy, to having success with my disc jockey business, then, finally heading off to my first semester of school - the year was a whirlwind of great people and experiences. At the end of 2003, I reflected on a year of sheer bliss - I was doing well at college, rowing crew, was friends with almost my entire floor, and more - honestly, I NEVER wanted to see that year end.

Then, as before, life got a bit shitty.

Maybe it was because the bar was set so high in 2003 that 2004/5 couldn't match up; whatever it was, I entered a dark chapter in my life - my confidence was at an all time low, I'd set ridiculously high standards for people, namely my friends, to follow (and became extremely upset when they were ignored), and I was often time just feeling angry, sad, and sorry for myself.

Then, a miraculous thing happened - I went home for the summer of 2006 and reflected on the year(s) past. A metamorphosis took place then, of which I can't completely understand but for which I am eternally grateful, and I began to be truly happy again. I'd met some new people, began to live more in the moment, began to truly understand and appreciate the beauty in others, in places and experiences, and just in life in general. I began to have a unique peace of mind, coupled with a general euphoria - a wonderful feeling that allowed me to feel every day that somehow, no matter what, things were/will be okay and that life is good.

What followed is what I am living in right now; after graduating from college and having a fulfilling senior year, I got a job which I truly enjoy, really feel like I've "come into my own" as an "adult," and learned a lot about people and how to deal with all different types. Most of my memories in the recent past have been happy; most of my encounters have been pleasant. I know appreciate, perhaps more than anything else, that everyone is different, unique, and wonderful in their own way - there's no use trying to "fix" anyone; instead, guidance and advice, where appropriate, carries a lot of weight. There's no use judging or condemning people right off the bat, because again, everyone is different and dealing with their own shit, most of which the outside world has no idea about.

I now wake up every morning with something to be thankful for, something to look forward to; I walk down the street listening to my iPod, usually smiling, as my soundtrack of life goes on. Cheesy, I know! But so true - a wonderful feeling.

Compared to 2007/2008, 2003 would be a mediocre year. Perhaps it was because I just had some growing up to do, some naivete to shed, or perhaps it was just because I didn't quite love and/or believe in myself enough to transmitt those feelings of love & contentment to others. I'm sure, again, in 5-10 years I'll report how much I've learned since I was 24 and how dumb I was then.

Who knows? Perhaps, just as history would have it, there'll be a "dip" in my happiness between now and 5 years from now. Perhaps not. Whatever happens though, and the underlying conclusion I draw, is that no matter what you think, life can and does get better. Going forward, I will aim to coast over the rough or "dark" patches and think little of them, and I will do this by remembering 1) that life is generally good and I have nothing to complain about and 2) that no matter what, if you adjust your mindset as such, life is just a curved line on a graph, exponentially increasing.