The Good and Bad of Words I Encountered on the Internet Today

This is supposed to be a somber post, but I am listening to this song. It is practically impossible to have any problems in the world whilst this song is bouncing through your head.

I was reading this helpful and humorous article about things that high school graduates should know when they go to college. It was great and all to see that lots of students become homesick and constipated and don't spend all their time at crazy parties, spending their time instead studying or navigating through awkward dimly lit gatherings with cheap drinks and failed conversation, but despite all this oddly encouraging information, I was greeted with negativity at the end. The comments were ridden with people accusing the government of keeping students from going to college or that any education past high school is useless or that we need an overhaul of the entire system of humanity, for lack of a better word. They were egged on by people from Germany and India and various other countries who flaunted their completely free education or condescendingly asked why we were not standing up to our beauracratic officials with our demands if we lived in such a "democratic" and "free" country.

I was upset, bothered, perhaps even furious. These people were blaming the people that they could have voted in or out of office for the apparent stupidity of higher education. They said that Marx was right and that now's the time to rebel and demand that every single soul and their vegetable garden be allowed to go to Harvard for free. They were saying that this entire generation is lazy and that college is just their idea of an expensive party. I found these comments petty, unknowledgeable, assuming, and hurtful. Yes, college is a lot, and yes, there are those who get out of high school and see it as their opportunity to live the good life free of charge.

But I know there are countless students who embrace college, hardships and all. I have friends who hold education and their future in the highest esteem. Kristian started looking at colleges when he was six. Preethi yearns for the knowledge that only a higher education can bring. Janelle has sacrificed so much so that she may be able to go to college and fulfill her dreams. There are so many good people that come out of college and make the world a better place for all of us, even the haters. Their flamey little fingers would have no computer to type nasty comments on if it weren't for intelligent people who went to colleges in our "fascist" country.

People bother me sometimes.

People also make me feel things. Today, with the unbeknownst help from a certain beautiful someone, I realized that I am full of sympathy and, at times, even empathy. But I never truly know how someone is feeling.

But that's the thing; can I ever truly know how someone else is feeling about something? No matter how similar the situation or the people or the life experiences are, there are always multiple factors differentiating people's feelings. It is my belief that no one, except the Savior, can ever fully know how someone else is feeling.

Thankfully, that's not necessary. Surely, it would be fantastic if their was someone else that instantly knew what we were talking about, what that sore spot in your back or head or heart feels like. But humans are beautiful creatures that have ears to listen with, hands to hold, shoulders to cry on, lips to keep shut until the time is right for them to speak. We all have hearts and brains and flesh. We have roots that connect us and can make us feel like a family, even when we're not. They can make us feel safer, even when we're not. They can make us feel grounded and steadfast and strong.

Even when we're not.