Cast Me Please

  I will try almost anything at least once. This philosophy doesn’t always lead to the next big thing in your life, but I’ve only ever regretted not following it. 

My first example is surfing.

I feel myself shaken as the words “Time to wake up!” flutter through my ears. I squint at the blinds, not wanting to move. We have fifteen minutes to get ready before we leave to go surfing. I have no desire to go, only the urge to get back under the covers and fall asleep. I have never been surfing before, only seen it on TV. Thoughts slug through my brain until I think I may never get this chance again. I pull myself together and get dressed, mentally preparing for the waves to come. We get to the beach, and the instructor teaches my brother and I to surf. We were pretty bad, but it was fun and I’d definitely do it again. So although I wasn’t in the mood to wake up so early (similar to how one would rather stay at home and watch TV than go out), I’m glad I forced myself to try it. 

Another instance I tried something new had a similar start but didn’t turn out quite the same. 

Once we arrive at the beach, the guide debriefs us because we have no clue what we are doing. We then hop on the boat and are off. We stop and I feel myself getting nervous. I’m scared of pinky-sized fish in lakes. I can’t handle an ocean of creatures. Yet it’s time. I want to do this, whether I end up liking it or not, so I hop into the water and wait for everyone else to join me. Then I see a fin, not close but still too close for comfort. I feel my heart rate spike as the guide tries to calm us. I still feel nervous after the baby shark swims away. Then we begin our descent. As I see the coral reefs and colorful fish, I loosen up a little, in awe of the thriving ecosystem beneath the waves. I stay cautious, wary of harming the organisms or having them harm me. Although one time was enough for me and I have no desire to go scuba diving ever again, I’m glad I went because it was a new experience. (The only reason I would do it again is if I need to try it when I’m 30 because I’ve forgotten what it was like). 

I pushed myself to go for it in the last two examples, but I don’t always follow my motto very well. 

Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve loved musicals, whether that was a Disney Channel Original Movie, real-life high school production, or Hamilton. It made me want to be an actress when I grew up, and I always thought I would participate in theater in high school. In fact, that’s one of the main reasons I was considering going to Mahomet (I loved their musicals when I was younger). I joined Thespians online my first year, diligently going to the meetings, but then I stopped when we went in person because I couldn’t keep track of all the clubs. Then last year I finally went to StudProd auditions, ready to fulfill my childhood dream. And I chickened out. Fing made us do a play-dead exercise and my stage fright kicked in like never before. I thought I had improved at being in front of other people, but even not on a stage, I was scared out of my mind. So I signed up for spotlight instead. I don’t necessarily regret this decision because it was still a new experience, but I still have my hope of acting in a high school show one day. Maybe I’ll gather up the courage this year. Cast me please...