By Barrett Lile, Columnist
Barrett Lile
“All who wander are not lost,” according to J.R.R. Tolkien, author of Lord of the Rings.
The quote expresses the importance of sometimes venturing into the unknown. Some of the greatest and gravest moments in life are derived from these journeys into the unfamiliar.
I first saw the quote a few days ago on a birthday card my uncle sent from Los Angeles.
My uncle was employed for more than a decade alongside a special effects crew in the film business. He worked on multiple “big name” films, including Star Wars and Jaws. He learned many things during his time in Hollywood, and previously advised me that the entertainment business is spontaneous and demands risk taking.
I am nearly two years away from graduating with my bachelor’s degree in acting. After graduation I intend to be a film actor in Hollywood.
Although graduation is in the future, it is never too early to begin taking on new challenges that will broaden my perspective.
An actor gains knowledge and awareness by taking risks. I am graded on how far I push out of my comfort zone and on what I do outside of it.
Actors are not the only people who should explore foreign parts of life. You never know what you may learn by hanging out some place you don’t normally go, accepting an invitation to a new event, or volunteering for a new cause.
I realized last summer that I was not exploring the world around me enough.
I was living in my comfort zone, missing opportunities because I was overanalyzing them.
You can’t press “pause” in life to examine a situation.
Sometimes you just have to go with the most natural and organic feature of your mind – instinct.
In the fall, I joined a fraternity, allowing me to meet and work with many different people. I also worked with film production majors on a movie set so I could learn more about the filming process. Finally, I joined a college improvisation troupe, which challenged my imagination to be bigger and faster.
These experiences have furthered my knowledge and bettered me as a person.
I urge all of you, regardless of your major, to do the same. Explore new places and opportunities. The experiences can only benefit you.
College is the last stop before the real world where you will need to be as prepared and enlightened as possible.
Take heed in where you go, experience from what you find and wisdom from its reflection.
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