There are times when my parents would like to wrap me in bubble wrap, or banish me to our cellar... or somehow keep me safe, at all times. Tonight I was talking about going to check out a school for its Ph.D. program, and the road trip that would ensue. Of course, me being me, I'm excited about the possibility of adventure. I love traveling, and would like to try some trips on my own. I also think it would be fun to try staying in a hostel, since I've never stayed in one... so, of course I had looked into a few along the route and found a couple that sounded okay.
When I was mentioning all of this to my parents, I could see the alarms going off in their heads. My dad raised his eyebrows, while my mom pursed her lips. Finally, they attacked the idea pretty viciously, saying that I don't think about things very thoroughly. Which isn't true; I just don't bring up the negative points while talking about my ideas... though I'm not very superstitious, I don't want to jinx it. (Plus who wants to tell their parents that they've considered possibilities of being raped, having car problems, etc.)
In any case, those possibilities aren't limited to traveling. Actually, the chances of being raped are much higher at home than while on the road... but, that's beside the point. What I hate is that some people would rather live in fear than to live. While I have no problems with living carefully, there's a point at which you have to cut the cord and go for it. Otherwise, you're left wondering, wishing that you had gone ahead and done something, rather than sitting around, waiting to get married. Okay, so that might be a little drastic, but the it's still a prevalent thought in some people's psyches.
Live carefully, but live... don't let the fear of evil keep you from experiencing good. Perhaps that will become my new mantra...
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