Feeling Sorry for Myself

It was Wednesday night, I was driving home from Los Altos after a night of sitting in with a local angel investment group watching three entrepreneurs pitch their wares and meeting the group’s members. As the clock struck 10 pm, I was flying up 280 in my family’s new Ford Escape Hybrid SUV (first new car since ’84!) and suddenly a wave of stress passed through me. I had a major test the next day and I was thinking to myself, “Wasn’t I supposed to put my business endeavors to the side for a bit as I try to step it up academically?” Worst of all, I felt sorry for myself.

Then I remembered. It’s immoral to be unhappy. I just had an awesome dinner with super-smart and successful people and learned a lot. I’m blessed with amazing opportunities and support. I go to one of the best high schools around. So, using the digital radio tuner (trust me – this is a step up from before) I turned the volume on high, rolled down the windows, and gased to 80 mph. As luck would have it, first Gavin DeGraw came on with “I Don’t Wanna Be” whose lyrics go:

I don’t want to be anything other than what I’ve been trying to be lately
All I have to do is think of me and I have peace of mind
I’m tired of looking ’round rooms wondering what I gotta do
Or who I’m supposed to be
I don’t want to be anything other than me

And then Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway”:

I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly
I’ll do what it takes til’ I touch the sky
I’ll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won’t forget all the ones that I love
I’ll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway