The Joy of Becoming

School holidays are over and a new term has arrived!

For many people, including myself, they don't feel excitement worthy of an exclamation mark after hearing this news. Perhaps they feel a sense of apprehension thinking about the bucket-load of work and study that comes with this new term. I completely empathise with this feeling, but with this blog, I want to discuss two things. Opportunity and becoming!

To explore this, I want to reflect on a quote by an author named Kurt Vonnegut.

Kurt Vonnegut said "Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what's inside you, to make your soul grow."

Before hearing these words, I was a heavy perfectionist. I am not saying it is bad to be marks-focused, but the concept of having to be absolutely spectacular at everything made me scared to try things that I thought I would not do well in. Mr Vonnegut is saying to try things, no matter how well or badly you may do them.

Maybe that new painting that you give a try won't be the best, or maybe you won't enjoy the process at all! But on the other hand, maybe you'll have discovered the process of painting gives you profound joy! The process of learning more about yourself through action rather than letting other thoughts put you down is one of the best things you can do.

So how does this relate to the new term?

The answer is simple! The new term ahead has a plethora of opportunities that are waiting for you to give them a try. School is full of extra-curricular activities and skills, with teachers at your disposal.

So use this new term to try that new sport or study technique, ask a teacher for help, or join a club. Pick anything you're afraid of being bad at and give it a try. It might be difficult at the start, but it may also blossom into something beautiful.