Risks, Rewards, and Realism.

Originally excerpted from an article about raising children, I think the following applies to any sort of risk taking that promises great rewards:

[It] is a little like climbing Mount Everest. Brave, adventurous souls try it because they've heard there's magic in the climb. They try because they believe that finishing, or even attempting the climb are impressive accomplishments. They try because during the climb, if they allow themselves to pause and lift their eyes and minds from the pain and drudgery, the views are breathtaking. They try because even though it hurts and it's hard, there are moments that make it worth the hard. These moments are so intense and unique that many people who reach the top start planning, almost immediately, to climb again. Even though any climber will tell you that most of the climb is treacherous, exhausting, killer. That they literally cried most of the way up.
And so I think that if there were people stationed, say, every thirty feet along Mount Everest yelling to the climbers -- "ARE YOU ENJOYING YOURSELF!? IF NOT, YOU SHOULD BE! ONE DAY YOU'LL BE SORRY YOU DIDN'T!" TRUST US!! IT'LL BE OVER TOO SOON! CARPE DIEM!" -- those well-meaning, nostalgic cheerleaders might be physically thrown from the mountain.

Additionally, the article focuses on appreciating little moments within each day. Not fallaciously claiming to be absorbing all the enjoyment that passes you by. Because the truth is, taking risks is hard. And if it were not hard, everyone would try to accomplish what you're doing, succeed, and your success would be everything short of phenomenal.

I write this because since high school people have told me, "enjoy this, it is the best four years of your life." Then in college, "these will be the best four (give or take, haha) years of your life!" And now in law school, the tone has changed, but I still hear, "these will be the most rewarding three years of your life." And I want to scream back, "WHICH IS IT?!"
High school was fun, and in retrospect, much more carefree than college or law school, but I would hazard a guess that they will not be the epitome of greatness I have or will have achieved in my life. College too, was nice. I had fun. But again, if those were the greatest years of my life, the next 50 or so are looking pretty depressing. And law school, oh law school. If one more person tells me, "enjoy it while it lasts, before you have to go find a job, and be in the real world" I may actually throw them off a mountain.

The thing is, I am not a violent person. I wouldn't ever actually consider throwing well-intentioned people off mountains. But the frustration that comes with being told how to appreciate your own life is unbearable at times. Especially in law school, and especially when you've spent the last four months in class thinking, "I did this to myself. This. Is. Hard." For once I want someone to tell me, "You've taken a risk, it will probably pay off. But if it doesn't be proud of yourself. Embrace your frustration, your tears, your stress, and your fatigue. These are the coping skills you will take with you into the 'real world.' This is how you will succeed."

I guess after reading the article I was inspired to demand and exude reality. Because at heart, I am a realist. I want people to be honest, and I want to hear the truth. I suppose, that is why I am becoming a lawyer.