Benjamin Dashley is a senior journalism and telecommunications major and writes ‘Distant First’ for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper. Write to Benjamin at bcdashley@bsu.edu
The longer you live in a city, the smaller it gets.
Whether you just get to know the area or you’re stuck in a routine of traveling from home to work and work to home, your surroundings tend to close in on you.
I was the shining example of this for most of my time in Muncie. I went from my residence hall to my classes. From classes, I headed to The Ball State Daily News. After that, I went back home.
Looking back at my time at Ball State, I only wish one thing: that I had explored more. Sure, I’d like to have a higher GPA, but years from now, will I even remember those — prepare yourselves, Bracken Library occupiers — somewhat arbitrary numbers?
Beyond the parties that I attended during my time here, I didn’t make it off campus very often. Part of that was intentional. When the armed robberies happened earlier this year, I counted my lucky stars that I had not spent more hours in earlier years beyond Riverside or New York avenues.
A bigger part of that decision, though, was laziness. I spent too many Sundays lying in bed surfing Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, and I really wish I hadn’t.
I wish I had gone to visit the world’s largest ball of paint in nearby Alexandria, Ind. I wish I had explored Minnetrista more. I wish I had volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank.
I missed some of the most “Muncie adventures” around — all because it was more comfortable to stay inside the Ball State bubble.
There are myriad experiences I wish I had done, almost unlimited accomplishments I wish I had pursued. But as Oprah Winfrey so elegantly stated last week, “I wouldn’t take nothing from my journey now.”
I’m thankful to Ball State for my experiences. I’m thankful to my instructors for the knowledge I’ve gained. I’m thankful to the Daily News for allowing me to lead them. And I’m thankful to you, the readers, for allowing me to give you a voice in the media.
I’ve not yet processed my departure from such a wonderful environment. I don’t know that I will until I’m in “the real world.”
Last week, David Letterman asked Winfrey one parting question: “What do you know for sure?”
The list for me is fairly short, but one item tops the list.
Your city, campus, even your room becomes smaller as you live in it. Make changes. Expand your mind; expand your life. Allow others to do the same.
Otherwise, why are you here?
