This is today's song. For me it invokes senses of pride, wonder, and joy. It's complex in its simplicity, and the vocalizations tie it all together.

Seriously, this song is fine on its own, but the vocals push it into "strongly enjoyable," which is nice. It's a good morning tune, especially with the sun being up (though not totally visible here in Syracuse).

I was to leave today for home; the snow that buried Buffalo also shut down 105 miles of I-90W, which is my preferred route. Reconsidering the options now; I'll wait for some melting and/or take an alternate route through Pennsylvania and avoid going anywhere near Lakes Ontario and Erie.

That aside, it's a bittersweet moment to realize that the end of formal education is quite literally right on top of me. On one hand, I've become institutionalized in a way; when education has dominated your life for nearly 20 years (the family got me started young and went hands-on) you become used to the environment. On the other hand, when you realize what's beyond the horizon, it's hard not to want to break free of what you've always known—or it is, depending on whether or not you're a "we've-always-done-it-this-way" type.

I love and embrace change. Seriously. When I start feeling too comfortable, I will start tossing wrenches to shake up life. Little things like moving furniture (which I should have done long ago...there's so much more room here now), or modifying my social circle, or deliberately changing how I operate in daily life; this time, it's been a good change. I've made myself more apt to specify what I want/don't want, will/will not tolerate... basically, just a little more assertive. I can always manage to find discomfort in comfort.

The major difference in this season of change, as compared to the past, is that the next step has not yet been mapped. I knew in early high school I'd be transferring out, and knew I was going to Floyd Central. I knew at the end of high school I'd be going to Ole MIss. I knew, even before defending my honors thesis, that I'd be coming to Syracuse. Now, I alone am the architect of my life's next revolution. Where I land will be a combination of factors (A: who offers a job. B: if/when I take it), but I'm pulling the strings that will leave me with full autonomy.

I can walk into tomorrow, with no knowledge of the unknown, but with faith that everything will happen as intended. That's the other part of this. I carry the intent, but the plan isn't my own. That is why I can bravely jettison all I've felt too comfortable with and leap into the next part of life. Literally everything has led up to this moment—that's what I tell myself daily. I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. No matter what happens next, I'll be exactly where I'm supposed to be.

If you're on the edge, as I am, let me leave you with this: You'll gain nothing by looking longingly behind you. All the regrets you have—those were just opportunities that weren't for you. Stay your focus on your goals and dreams. Supported by your own tenacity, you will chase greatness and, one day, you'll look up and realize you've outpaced your goals entirely and become something you never imagined.

Happy Friday.