The closing of a chapter
Grant Milsaps
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Opinion
A few weeks ago, I was asked to write an article with my last words for my fellow students here at Samford. It was a surreal moment, and I have been thinking about what to write ever since that moment. There is so much that races through your mind when such a significant chapter in your life is coming to a close. I am still not quite sure what to say.
I have had a quote from George Bernard Shaw on the back of my door for over two years now. Every day before I leave my room I read this quote to begin the new day ahead. It reads:
"This is the true joy in life - that being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a might one. That being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die. For the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It's sort of a splendid torch which I've got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."
As I reflected on this quote and my last days here at Samford, I always found myself returning to these words. Why? Because every morning this is why I wake up. These words are what inspire me to get through the wonderful and the difficult days of my time here at Samford.
I leave you this quote because I believe in it. I believe in the power of his words and the truth behind them. I know there is a chance that this quote may not mean a single thing to you, but I do not leave this quote solely that you may identify with it. I give you this quote as an example of inspiration and passion in my own life. These words resonate with me at the core.
My wish is that you may discover something that resonates deeply inside of you and that gives you the desire to live life like you never have before. Find something that inspires you and chase after it. Live with passion and conviction that gives you a joy that cannot be contained. Lastly, soak it all up. Every last bit. Your days here at Samford will soon be over, much faster than you think.
In closing, to anyone and everyone I have known in my time here at Samford I would like to say one last thing…
Thank you, because you have blessed me more than you will ever know.
Grant Millsaps is a senior religion major from Winston Salem, N.C. He can be reached at gtmillsa@samford.edu.
I have had a quote from George Bernard Shaw on the back of my door for over two years now. Every day before I leave my room I read this quote to begin the new day ahead. It reads:
"This is the true joy in life - that being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a might one. That being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die. For the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It's sort of a splendid torch which I've got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."
As I reflected on this quote and my last days here at Samford, I always found myself returning to these words. Why? Because every morning this is why I wake up. These words are what inspire me to get through the wonderful and the difficult days of my time here at Samford.
I leave you this quote because I believe in it. I believe in the power of his words and the truth behind them. I know there is a chance that this quote may not mean a single thing to you, but I do not leave this quote solely that you may identify with it. I give you this quote as an example of inspiration and passion in my own life. These words resonate with me at the core.
My wish is that you may discover something that resonates deeply inside of you and that gives you the desire to live life like you never have before. Find something that inspires you and chase after it. Live with passion and conviction that gives you a joy that cannot be contained. Lastly, soak it all up. Every last bit. Your days here at Samford will soon be over, much faster than you think.
In closing, to anyone and everyone I have known in my time here at Samford I would like to say one last thing…
Thank you, because you have blessed me more than you will ever know.
Grant Millsaps is a senior religion major from Winston Salem, N.C. He can be reached at gtmillsa@samford.edu.
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