2015-5-CE-Seton-'Girl-With-Book'-728x90
Catholic Homeschool Articles, Advice & Resources
How to Triumph Over the Comfortable Pull of Nostalgia - Chris Smith

How to Triumph Over the Comfortable Pull of Nostalgia

Summary

Nostalgia may be comforting, but Chris Smith counsels how students can find their path to Christ, high school grads use summer to focus on the future.

There are many times I find myself giving into a strong feeling of nostalgia.

How common this is, I do not know, but there seems to be evidence that this sentiment is particularly strong in the much talked about “millennial” generation, the generation in which most of our graduating seniors find themselves categorized.

We’re all aware of the phenomenon of time seeming to go faster as one gets older. I am sure there is some law of Quantum Physics which explains why this is so, but even with that scientific reassurance, there is a tendency to let the acceleration of time lead to a state of melancholy.

It is not uncommon for graduating students to experience these feelings; I know that I did. I have spoken with multiple students in the past few months who have expressed a mix of excitement and fear about graduating high school. This is completely understandable.

You are standing at a point of transition, and the magnetizing pull of the past can seem comforting over the unknowns of the future.

And while I am not saying you should all go out and buy “carpe Diem” coffee mugs, or join some Epicurean drum circle, I would propose that the graduates take time this summer to reflect on both the good of the past and the promise of the future.

The virtue of Hope is “the desire of something together with the expectation of attaining it.” And while it is a forward facing virtue, I believe that our capacity to hope is informed by the experiences of our past.

This is a beautiful thing about being Catholic.

We are allowed to look back and look forward at the same time, and by doing so, are able to more clearly see our path to Christ, Who is the Beginning and the End.

About Christopher Smith

Christopher Smith
RSS-Icon
Christopher Smith is the Director of Guidance at Seton. He has an M.A. in National Security and Statecraft from the Institute of World Politics in Washington D.C. He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Christendom College and is currently working on an M.S. in Education from Franciscan University.

About Contributing Writers

A wide range of authors from priests, educators, parents and students bring insight and inspiration for the homeschooling journey. We would love to hear from you! To submit your story for consideration, visit Submissions. Learn More
Learn about Homeschooling with Seton
School Pre-K through 12 at home. A quality, Catholic education. Online learning. Accredited and affordable.
Request your Free Info Pack

Pin It on Pinterest

2015-5-CE-Seton-'Girl-With-Book'-728x90
Seton Magazine
subjects
Counselors picks
Journey
How Homeschooling Saved My Children
Laugh With Me
write for us
Abby Sasscer
Mary Ellen Barrett
Emily Molitor
Mary Kay Clark
Ginny Seuffert
contributingavatar
John Clark
Kevin Clark
bob_wiesner
m-kalpakgian2
Important question
Catching Up:
Keep Trying
St Christopher
StElizabethAnnSetonClark
Seton Magazine Saint Poster Collection
hs with seton
How to Triumph Over the Comfortable Pull of Nostalgia - Chris Smith
Christopher Smith
RSS-Icon
InfoPack
hhssmkebook400
The 5 Most Popular Quotes from 'The Screwtape Letters' - Kevin Clark
Why Does Coffee Always Get the Blame? - by John Clark
Survive High School with These 8 Life Hacks - Philomena Kelly
4 Tips to Teach Your Children to Obey Out of Love – Not Fear
The Ballad of the White Horse: An Introduction and Analysis
subjects
Seton 'Girl With Book' 300x250
St. Thomas Aquinas on Virtue and Catholic Homeschooling
4 Study Strategies to Work Smarter this Semester
My Son Won't Pay Attention to His Studies: How Do I Keep Him on Track?
A Freshman's 7 Tips to Staying on Track in High School
My 8 Secrets to Success with Math! Yes, Math!
The Home School Advantage - Flexibility to Steer Our Own Way
7 Strategies to Stabilize the School Year
Getting Back on Track When Homeschooling Falls Apart
4 Ways Bite-Sized Goals Can Help Students Catch Up
The 6 Secrets to Rescuing a Derailed Homeschool
5 Ways I Got Homeschooling on Track after Chronic Illness
How to Catch Up on High School When You Are Dreadfully Behind