November 30th, 2024 • Miami, USA

My professor began to talk about the difference between the words wander and wonder.

I began to wander about what was going on. Or is it wonder? He gave us the example;

would you wander down the mountain or stay wondering what was below? I began to

realize, for the past fifteen years, I only ever wondered. I wondered if the boy would like

me back. I wondered if my friends still liked me. I wondered what my future was like. I

wondered if I would ever be more than just a pretty face. But I never bothered to wander

down the mountain. I never bothered to take a stance or do anything but hope and

dream. I never bothered to see if the mountain was steep. I just assumed. I assumed

the mountain was too steep to wander around. I never checked. I never left my bubble. I

only pleased people. I only wondered.

The thought of wandering down the mountain was never a thought I had before.

Because I’m scared. I’m scared the mountain is too unstable to wander below. I’m

scared of what can be down there. I’m scared that if I tell him I like him, I’ll find out the

mountain I’ve been living on was actually a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.

I decided to wander down the mountain. I decided I wanted my life to be my own.

Wondering allowed me to feel as if my problems were a part of the future but wandering

allows me be free of this stress. Wandering down that mountain, seeing what life is

about, has allowed me to enjoy life. Take a hike. Wander down the mountain.