Western Courier

Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Opinion

Skylar Patridge/cartoonist

Many individuals have adopted the notion that life is short. That couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, life is long and hard and you must be aware of the choices you make today because they will affect you tomorrow.

Those who live in the moment are blind to consequences and often regret decisions they have made in the past. We believe that life is a long path with many twists and turns, and the only way to avoid unpleasant back alleys is to prepare.

Any good coach will tell you that preparation is the name of the game. We all take tests without studying for them, and the result is usually not what we had hoped for. We have all typed that paper the day before or even the day it was due, and it usually ends with a less than stellar grade. So why take that approach to your everyday life?

Every decision you make has a consequence and to experience life on a day-by-day basis is one for fools. Sure you may have fun and be adventurous for some time, but soon the choices you have made will catch up to your impulsive behavior. Life does not always have negative consequences waiting for you. It may bring about a positive status or boost in income, but why leave that to chance?

This is why it is important to study history. If we did not analyze our past, whether faults or triumphs, we would not be able to move forward. The same needs to be done in life. As college students, we have started to develop a plan for our futures. However, it is not enough to simply attend class and complete homework assignments. This is merely the foundation for a successful future.

We recognize that things will not always go according to your plan. That is why it is essential to prepare for that as well, and anticipate situations or conditions that may arise. You can never go wrong if you already realize that things might not go your way. If you take life one day at a time, you will be stunned when it throws a wrench at you.

In addition to planning, a prosperous life also requires taking risks. It is up to us to ensure that the risk is calculated. Many entrepreneurs such as Ray Kroc, Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey have indicated that taking risks were necessary for them to become successful.

Leave nothing to chance and erase your impetuous nature. Besides, the only way to blaze a trail is to have a compass.

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