Brian Doyle (-- The Beacon)
By Brian Doyle
Hey, welcome back, or welcome to, the odd cheerful seething village that is the University of Portland. There's nowhere like it in the world.
There's a shaggy energy and humor and creative verve here that's deeply refreshing, and very often, as far as I can tell, swings students' lives in interesting unexpected directions; but you have to go in search of it, you know?
So can I give you a little advice, from an old guy to young folks?
Get out of your room. Go to the plays and movies and speakers and seminars and concerts and exhibits that jazz the campus every single night. There are unreal brains and hearts here. Some are your professors. Some live down the hall.
There's the best women's college soccer team on Earth. There's unbelievable art and music and theater and sports and spirit.
Go on the trips the University sponsors to the mountains and the beach. Sign up for a semester or a summer abroad in Australia, Asia, Europe, Latin America.
Get to know the personable priest who lives in your dorm; you'll need his open ear and heart some night, and he's a riveting guy who is giving his life to love and reverence, which is cool.
Maybe turn your computer off and leave your phone behind and go dig people and their stories. There are people here from all over the country and the world. There are incredible wild hilarious amazing charming startling people here everywhere. But you have to go find them.
It's up to you to catch some of the astounding moments that are waiting for you.
You know that independence you wanted, in the worst way, when you sprinted away from high school?
Now you have it.
What will you do with it?
As the great poet Mary Oliver says, what will you do with your one wild and precious life?
Brian Doyle is the editor of Portland Magazine. He can be contacted at bdoyle@up.edu
