When it's Better to Travel Light

Every journey may not always be meant for two or to travel with everyone you always knew from way back when.  The university experience may, in reality, be this type of journey.  If you are a first generation student who always dreamed of going to college then sooner than later you may realize that portions or major segments of this journey may be in a direction you head off to alone.  For those of us who were or are first generation, we may remember moments after starting college when we came back home only to realize that people we once knew as best friends didn’t have much to say or could not share in our new college experience.  Then there is the moment where you can’t hang out with friends like you did before and a small but visible divide begins to appear.  Did we put them down?  Did we think we were too good to hang out with them anymore?  Did we become bourgeoisie?  No, in reality goals and priorities change as we get older or venture down new paths.  A focus on homework, college activities and the opportunity to meet new friends pulls each of us in new directions.  Should we turn our back on people we knew from back in the day.  Certainly not, if they can support the direction you are moving in and offer words of encouragement because these are friends and family you want to keep by your side.  

In life, however, there are moments of solitude when traveling in a direction less traveled by others can provide the clarity and time for reflection we all need. It is not just about whom or what you may leave behind it should also be about who or what may be ahead for you.  Mentors, new friends, opportunities and more can be just ahead and around the next corner but it will be very hard to see if you keep looking back.  Move forward knowing for various reasons this may not be the first time you will be required to travel light!