Measuring success

The following video was posted all over facebook yesterday because I happen to know both of the talented little kiddos (and I only say little because they were freshman and sophomores when I really knew them in high school) who created this film...

http://vimeo.com/29384939

Apparently, it won them the opportunity to go to Hollywood, as well as to the Cannes Film Festival in France. It is definitely a big deal, and quite an honor, and I am quite excited for them.

That. Having. Been. Said... it got me thinking lately about my own life, and wondering what I have really accomplished since graduating high school. Sure I went to Ireland...for a class. Not to France...to be globally recognized for my talents. This has just come as a reality check for me to realize how the paths we each take in our lives can go so many different ways, all truly depending on what WE do with them.

I suppose this comes at a not-so-great point in my path...only because I feel so static and stir-crazy, not because it won't ultimately become a good thing...so it's difficult to see some youngin's fresh out of high school already proving themselves worthy of the world. Questions creep up through some of the stress cracks, like "What should I really be doing in my life? Did I choose incorrectly? Will none of this get recognized? Why am I caring so much? Shouldn't I just be happy!? UGH"

You get the idea.

So at this point is when I slow the hell down and remember what I love about my life, and how this path is going to lead me to where I want to be, and how I need to be (and am!) grateful of all I got.
But it helps to make a physical list:

I have a goddamn roof over my goddamn head.
I live in a society where I am allowed to say goddamn a lot. Though I shouldn't and needn't.
I have a family that, no matter how crazy they can get, will always support me no matter how many tattoos I get. (For the record, I already got away with one. For the most part.)
Although I may not be able to afford to go to any college I desire, I do have some source of money to pay for it that isn't my own pocket.
I have the most wonderful, loving, and thoughtful boyfriend who LITERALLY keeps me sane. I pray he stays around for awhile since I don't know exactly how well I could function in the world without his ears to rant to and his big manly shoulders to hug me, ground me, and catch a few tears.
I have food readily available, unlimited water to drink, and hip and trendy clothes to wear.

I'm gonna figure it all out. But not now! I'm 20 years old for crying out loud. Most people never figure it all out, and the ones that do (or say they do) are probably trying to keep it together.
Moral of this story rant is... Shut up. Be happy. Figure it out as you go along. Everything is going to be fine.