Breeze Perspectives: The world’s yours for the taking
Carpe Diem, college kids: this is the time, and you are the one
By Anthony Riedel, contributing writer
Posted on August 31, 2006

Last December, I decided I was going to change the world. At approximately 7:15 a.m. on a humid late-June morning, I paced back and forth in a steamy hot building housing the humming motors which pump water to the top of a large waterslide. At that very moment, I suddenly decided how I was going to change the world against all odds. The details of how I am going to change the world are not important. The fact that my lack of experience, time, funding and connections will not deter me from my goal is what’s important. As Robert Browning said, “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”

As you finish your first week of classes, the last thing on your mind will probably be how you are going to change the world. However, right now is one of the most critical moments up to this point in your life. This is the moment where you have any and every opportunity before you. The world is yours for the taking.
 
The most important lessons from my college experience are not from the classroom, but from the dorm rooms and club rooms of my contemporaries. I urge you to attend Student Organization Night Monday in the JMU Convocation Center. Regardless of your interest, turn off that Playstation and throw away that beer and make a difference for you and your community.

From College Republicans to College Democrats, from Dukes for Life to the National Organization of Women, from fraternities to religious organizations, sports, community service, or even break dancing and knitting; do something for you and your community.

Do you dislike the fact that our Student Government automatically appropriates $10,014 ($5,007 per semester for Fall 2006 and Spring 2007) of the students’ money every year to the liberal race-baiting NAACP while other groups are left to scrap over the leftovers? Join the Student Government and be the change you want to see.

Do you want to help out the less fortunate in our community? Come on down to The Little Grill soup kitchen Mondays 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Come when you want, leave when you want.

Have something to say? Write for The Breeze or check out Open Mic Night every Tuesday night at TDU. Speak out for what you believe in on our campus radio airwaves. Get and wear an orange band and converse with other OrangeBand members.

Focus on school and stay out of trouble. Occasionally crack open a book that is not for a class. And most importantly, set goals for yourself. Without goals, you are without a direction or purpose in life and thus wasting your time here at JMU. As then-Texas governor George W. Bush said, “Self-control and character and goal-setting give direction and dignity to all our lives. We must renew these values to restore our country.” In the meantime, let’s restore our campus and community.

Anthony Riedel is a senior communications major and did not mean to snub any organizations by not explicitly naming them.