silver linings&chinese idioms

????????? “Take a step back, the ocean and sky are wide and clear.” You know that feeling when you’re ridiculously overwhelmed by the pressures and possibilities of life? It’s exciting and exhilarating, but pretty frightening as well. This Chinese idiom does wonders for me when I get the feeling that an impending tsunami is headed my way. I’ve always been told that I think too much, worry too much, and care too much. But I’m starting to think it’s a blessing in disguise. Even though my life is filled with self-inflicted anxiety,I think these paranoid tendencies have also made me reevaluate my perspective and what’s important to me. This world is filled with distractions. It seems as if the media and society in general are telling us what’s right or wrong, good or bad, and in or out. I think it’s important to step back, see the bigger picture, really look within yourself (cliché, I know), and decide how you want to live. I try to find the silver lining in every situation, because once you take a step back, things start to look clear again. My dad always tells me that we’re tourists on this journey of life- we come, we see, we explore, and we leave. So what are you going to do on this tour? -BL