Titles

So as a start to my venture into the world of journalism, I was encouraged to begin blogging. Writing takes practice, I know that. And having a blog gives me an excuse to write, to practice. So as I sat down tonight and tried to begin my blog I realized I could not begin without a title. I know the importance of a title, having learned freshman year of high school in Mr. Arko's Honors English I class that a title immediately sets you apart. In a sea of papers about the same subject, one with a unique title grabs the reader's interest (often a sleep-deprived, overwhelmed professor) and sets you off on the right path.

So what do I title my blog--a blog about no specific topic but whatever I choose to write. My mind whirred with different interests of mine (rowing, writing, Ireland, Cleveland) or anything that I thought could sum me up in a few words. As I laughed at myself for sitting up on a summer night, making a big deal in my head out of starting a blog, I was reminded of this previous semester where I took on too much and found myself overwhelmed at a level I had never previously thought possible nor survivable. At this I was reminded of a similar period in my life during the summer after my junior year of high school, when I didn't know where my life was taking me and simply felt confused. During that summer, on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, a Jesuit priest gave me a book of prayers called Hearts on Fire: Praying with the Jesuits, and singled out for me the prayer "Patient Trust," by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ. Tonight I remembered the final lines from that prayer:
"Give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete."

Recognizing that in the coming days, months, and years of my life I will experience more such periods of confusion due to an unfortunate inability to not jump at every opportunity, I decided the final words were appropriate for this blog. Plus, it doesn't hurt to leave things open for whatever writings this blog will hopefully see. If you do take the time to stop and read once in a while, thank you. I have learned a lot about being humble so I can use all the feedback I can get. For now, just encourage me to start writing.