Sail Away From the Safe Harbour

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed in the things you did not do than the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

–Mark Twain

If there was ever a quote that I would pick to be the theme of my life, it would be this one; something about it just speaks to me in a way that a motivational speech, or a classic novel with a profound message buried in metaphors would. Life is far too short to remain in the safe harbour, and it is very surprising how many people spend most of their existence planning for the future rather than living in the moment. I have been guilty of this, that’s for sure, and I am sure that many others have been as well. Too often we remain in the safe harbour because it is what is known, what is familiar, but it is taking chances and setting sail in the unfamiliar direction that teaches us our most valuable lessons.

Ever remember what life was like in elementary school? We were so carefree and spent less time planning and more time living. We were just beginning to learn how to do things, and how the world works. Nothing was familiar, so naturally the entire world was at our fingertips to explore. First year university is very similar to childhood. We were just beginning to learn how to study properly, which buildings are for what purposes, and about the many clubs and opportunities offered on campus. There was not a set structure or system engraved in our heads. One of my most vivid university memories is from first year. It was right after completing a stats midterm that I and a few friends spent the entire previous night studying for and decided to go out for a late dinner to end the long day. During dinner one of my friends expressed his sadness for not being able to see his girlfriend in Toronto (about an hour and half away from Waterloo) the following week – Valentine’s Day. After joking about driving to Toronto for the night (at 10:30 PM) we all decided to actually pile up in his car and do it- even though we all had an 8:30 class the next morning! I will never forget the rush of the situation, going for a long drive with good friends and just not being bothered about what would happen the next day! We drove through downtown and eventually made it to her apartment in the suburbs. We did not get back to Waterloo until 5 am the next morning, and even though it cost me one 8:30 am class, I gained a memory that will last a lifetime.

This coming September, I will be travelling to Vietnam to work there for my 8 month placement abroad! I’ve been anxious for this placement ever since the moment I accepted my admission to the University of Waterloo and it finally seems like it is getting closer with each passing day. I want no regrets while I am there and want to take many risks, following no routine or set structure. I want every single day to be a new adventure. This goes for life as well; routine is nice because let’s face it, our society values it and knows how to function in the safe harbour, but once in a while it is completely okay to set sail in the unfamiliar direction, just like how we did in first year and in childhood.

I aspire to live by Mark Twain’s words, so that in ten, twenty, or even thirty years I can look back at all of the events of my life and say “wow…I’ve had a pretty good run.”

-Madiha