Are we there yet?

So, here I am again, going at it with my blog. As much as I admire people for doing this, I can't help but be tired as I constantly start thinking about what I should write. Steve has such a creative tone, Tom has such a strong writing style, I, well, I am not sure what my thing is. I guess mine is that I get a little more political and philosophical I guess. Anyway, I am babbling again.

The other day I was writing my introduction to my final research paper. My research project is about retelling the stories of those students that feel marginalized and their voices have been silenced. In my intro, I eluted to the issue that life is not about the destination, but the journey. Ok, so, I understand that it is such a corny and overused motto, but I had to use it because of my reflective nature.

While I was finishing up my intro section, a little thought came into my mind that constantly bothered me through out the couple hours. "If life is a journey, not a destination, how do we ever know we are there?" "where is there?"There are many moments in life that probably can symbolize "there". First day of school, first day of high school, leaving for college, first car, first kiss, first time you have sex, engagement, marriage, first child, live goes on and on, but when do you ever feel like you "made it?" I often look at others and say "man, he/she's got it made". I wonder if people look at me and think that. I doubt it. Then when do you ever make it? Does it really matter that you make it? Does it matter how you make it? Are there shortcuts? Are there the more scenic routes?

It is said that the grass is always greener on the other side. As Americans, have we gotten so obsessed with how we compare to others that are we constantly trying to get somewhere that doesn't even make us satisfied? Are we constantly walking through this dessert for a simple illusion of water? and when we get to the water, do we even realize that it isn't water that we see any more? So many interesting questions, with no interesting answers.

Wait. Questions. If the journey is to destination, is to efforts is to result, is this the same equation to question is to answers? It is more important that we are asking questions than getting answers? So, ARE we there yet? I can't answer that question. I am not sure anyone can. Is it possible to ever know when you are there? And if it isn't, should I care? I'll admit, it's hard to let that one go. I do care about having a great job, a great place to live, having great friends. But, sometimes there isn't much we can do about the path we take on this road. All I know is that we need to keep moving forward and try to stop caring so much about where we go.

To quote one of my favorite movies, Threesome, "It's kind of like going on a vacation - you plan everything out but one day you make a wrong turn or take a detour, and you end up in some crazy place you can never find on the map, doing something you never thought you'd do. Maybe you feel a little lost while it's happening. But, later, you realize it was the best part of the whole trip..."

Enjoy the journey, wherever the hell we are going. :)