Life After College Graduation

I came to New York expecting unfriendly people, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t know where they got that reputation from. It must have been from the past, but surely that’s not the case now. When I first came, I was connected to a friend’s friend who offered to put me up for one night before I actually moved into the dorms at Columbia. It was so kind of him, because a) he didn’t know me and b) he didn’t know me. I’m sure at some point he questioned this offer (and maybe he does to this day lol) but it was so nice to be received by such a friendly face, especially since I came here not knowing anyone.

I’m reminded of this because today yet another kind incident occurred. It was so brief, that I almost missed it. There was an elderly man having difficulty pushing his wheelchair up a sidewalk ramp, and a man walking in the opposite direction quickly turned around and pushed his wheelchair till the ground was level, and then continued on his way.

When Friedman, my favorite columnist, writes about Lance, my favorite athlete, you know I’m going to love the article (see the link to the right). Friedman (as always) has a point. Why isn’t our government or President trying harder to keep jobs here? Why are we persistently allowing ourselves to be so incredibly dependent on oil? Why not put into law incentives that will encourage U.S. Companies to rely less on oil and more on green house gases? Of course it’s going to be more expensive at first, but the newest technologies come out incredibly expensive, and as they reach a critical mass, become less expensive. It’s not a matter of not having the technology; it’s a matter of making it a goal.

Lance Armstrong doesn’t win because he cheats. He doesn’t win because he’s naturally “stronger.” He wins because he prepares and identifies the long-term goal, and plans out the preparation in anticipation of what is to come. Sure, the future may hold unanticipated obstacles; but having a game plan is better than having none at all.