The Voice Begins Again...

It begins with a strong déjà vu; the unwavering positivity of a journalist who knows what they're talking about, trying to spread their optimism. Optimism is usually infectious, especially with a bunch of highly impressionable young adults with brains like sponges. However, this is an effected group. There have been dark days, sustained periods of absence and even violence. There is a reluctance to see that was has been will not be again, the assumption that the cycle will repeat itself and that the smell that hung in the air for so long will linger.

Being close to a decade older than everyone else now is not just a number. I under-appreciate that I have lived 10 more years than these people, my peers. I've done things they haven't, I've experienced things they haven't. You live a lot of life in 10 years, especially your twenties. I have been so rich that I could have given every student in UL a euro and had change and so broke that eating was a legitimate option, not a necessity. I have been so enamoured with friends that I felt like the world's most popular guy and so lonely that enjoying your own company is the only option you have left. I have been so relaxed and contented with life that if I hadn't lived another day I would have had no regrets and so crushed with guilt that the only fitting penance is to tattoo my guilt painfully onto my skin. 

Look at where I am now. I'm not special. I'm just older. But I know now that for every down there is an up and that no matter what happens, learn from every situation, take it with you and move on.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that we will overcome and in our lives, will be forced to overcome much worse. It is then that we will learn who we are. It may have been very difficult at the time but we are stronger and better for our past. We will be fine.

We have been down but we have never been out. We are back on our feet and we will make a success of this project and any other project that comes our way. We have had to jump hurdles that we never should have had to and for that we are better, stronger and much healthier. 

This time around our guidance is much stronger, too. Already, our apprehensions are being addressed and our talents are valued and trusted. Sure, we will encounter hurdles on this road but they will be much smaller and will be jumped with ease. I can't wait to get started!