A little while ago, I went to the National Christmas Tree Lighting at the White House. My mom and I were able to win four tickets so I was able to share the experience with my mother as well as some of my new Maryland friends. It was beautiful. The holiday music and decorations definitely signaled the beginning of Christmas. Plus, I was able to share the moment with people I dearly cherish in my life. 
Someone told me recently that moments don't really mean anything unless you live them in consideration to the future. For instance, a kiss is only a kiss. It means something greater when the person your sharing the kiss with becomes your future. I understand this philosophy. When I look back at my own memories, the ones I remember most are those moments which had significant impact on my future: the birth of my little sister, the first time a boy said he liked me, my first job, my best childhood friend. However, I still hold that moments are what makes living worth while whether those seconds or minutes are held in respect to the future or not.
Those listed above are only some of my most significant memories, but the bulk of my memories consists of moments which are only that...only moments: my 21st birthday I spent in Las Vegas, my senior prom, the time my dad caught me sneaking out of the house, the first time I played spin the bottle. At the time, these moments had nothing to do with my future whatsoever, but all of them played a part in making me the woman I am today.
I had to skip one of my graduate classes in order to attend the Christmas Tree Lighting. I could have decided not to go because attending class is has more of a significant impact on my future. But what will I remember ten years from now: that night with my friends watching president Obama turn on the Christmas tree or sitting in a classroom discussing the ethics of public policy?
Someone told me recently that moments don't really mean anything unless you live them in consideration to the future. For instance, a kiss is only a kiss. It means something greater when the person your sharing the kiss with becomes your future. I understand this philosophy. When I look back at my own memories, the ones I remember most are those moments which had significant impact on my future: the birth of my little sister, the first time a boy said he liked me, my first job, my best childhood friend. However, I still hold that moments are what makes living worth while whether those seconds or minutes are held in respect to the future or not.
Those listed above are only some of my most significant memories, but the bulk of my memories consists of moments which are only that...only moments: my 21st birthday I spent in Las Vegas, my senior prom, the time my dad caught me sneaking out of the house, the first time I played spin the bottle. At the time, these moments had nothing to do with my future whatsoever, but all of them played a part in making me the woman I am today.
I had to skip one of my graduate classes in order to attend the Christmas Tree Lighting. I could have decided not to go because attending class is has more of a significant impact on my future. But what will I remember ten years from now: that night with my friends watching president Obama turn on the Christmas tree or sitting in a classroom discussing the ethics of public policy?
The moral of this story is....you should not always choose your moments by considering which will be more influential for your future. Sometimes you should live just for that moment despite its possible insignificance. The moment may be all we have.
