Leilehua High School: Living in the Present
Jonathan Lockwood Huie once said, 鈥淕ain happiness by living in the present 鈥 without regret for the past or fear of the future.鈥 This is a concept I wish I had learned sooner.
During a time I troubled over balancing academics, family, and extra-curricular activities and was apprehensive about the future, a certain teacher of mine suggested reading a certain book that might have helped me with my concern. But, like any other GT student, I procrastinated. I have finally read it, four years later, and I wish I had read it sooner.
By the way, certain teacher who gave me the book four years ago, I still have the book and I will return it to you鈥ater.
Anyway, A quote I would like to share from this book is, 鈥淎ction always happens in the present, because it is an expression of the body, which can only exist in the here and now. But the mind is like a phantom that lives only in the past or future. It’s only power over you is to draw your attention out of the present.”
Throughout the short four years of high school, I have learned life unfolds in the present. But many times, one can let the moment slip away, permitting time to hurry past unobserved and unseized, squandering the valuable seconds of life as one worries about the future and ruminates about what has past.
It has been said, 鈥淚f you have one eye on yesterday, and one eye on tomorrow, you are going to be cockeyed today.鈥
But this moment is the only thing that matters and there are no ordinary moments. Tonight, when we move our tassels from our left to our right, it will be the first, the final, the single moment we truly change from high school students to young adults free to choose the opportunities for our own future. Remember this night. Remember the people who are standing next to you. Remember the crowd and loved ones before you. Let us celebrate the moment.
To the unrivaled, undisputed, class of 2011, we join forth now, in hope and inspiration, all of us sharing our common legacy — all of us, proud Mules of Wahiawa. With Leilehua Pride, May We Go Forth and Prevail!
Thank You and May God Bless.
About the author: Shastin Hill was a valedictorian at Leilehua High School in Wahiawa.
