Halloween is upon us

As we've progressed in a modern society we have moved further and further away from mystery and magic that was once awed us in the past. This ultimately has brought about the need for a holiday that helps to bring some of that mystery and magic back into our lives, Halloween. October is the celebration of Halloween and all the wonder that accompanies it. Since I was a child, Halloween always instilled unto me a mysterious, yet beautiful feeling that I still can't quite comprehend. As I matured, I found that I was interested in that "unknown" of horror and terror. Why do we enjoy seeing others in pain, running for their lives from a deranged crazy person with some sort of blunt weapon? What causes us, as we mature, to watch these films which have potential to scare us? As children, Halloween is an exciting time because we get to dress the way we want and become our favorite characters. Not only do we get to step into imagination land, but we get rewarded with sweet treats in the process. Halloween, to the child, invokes imagination. As adults it seems our perceptions of Halloween shift. It is considered a "child's" holiday, but that doesn't mean we can't still have fun. Many adults choose to continue to dress up, and rather than trick or treat, go celebrate with friends. The purpose of dressing up doesn't always have the objective of fulfilling the imagination, but rather impressing other adults. I feel as though as we step into adulthood we don't always possess the same fascination of wonder, mystery, and magic as we once did as children. Halloween is my favorite holiday, in part, because I have never lost that mystery I find that surrounds Halloween even with the addition of horror.

It has been quite some time since my last blog, but as Halloween approaches I felt the need to share my

inner most thoughts with the world yet again. We let so many things spoil and ruin our mood that we often don't allow ourselves to enjoy our lives. My dad visited this weekend and it was much needed. I miss home, and the traditions that I partook in. Each year, for Halloween, I would go to a pumpkin patch, apple picking, drink and eat far to many things with "pumpkin flavor, have a scary movie marathon, go to a haunted house, and carve pumpkins. October wasn't just any old month, it was a month to celebrate this mystery, magic, and wonder that was so dear to my heart. Parties were never my thing, so on Halloween I'd dress up, get my reeses peanut butter cups, and watch The Nightmare Before Christmas. Many of the traditions I had in Chicago I brought here to Lincoln. I often have Brandon engage in these traditions with me. However, there are many that have been left behind and I feel as though I am becoming an adult who is starting to lose my sense of wonder surrounding Halloween. Excuses always seem to be made, and I have realized that, lately, I have made many excuses.

"I can't do this because I am too tired," I find myself saying most of the time.

In my mind if I think that Brandon doesn't want to do something, or if I'm not sure I should do something rather than asking I internalize and make assumptions for myself. These assumptions are not always correct, and have limited what I can and/or cannot do. Today, I felt defeated as though it was "too late" to partake in these loved Halloween traditions. However, it is far from too late to enjoy my Halloween traditions. I've already gone to a pumpkin patch and had plenty of pumpkin flavored treats. I may not go to a haunted house this year, but I will dress up and enjoy a scary movie festival. I had a caramel apple, but didn't get an opportunity to go apple picking. While I will miss out on a few traditions it isn't too late to partake in many of my typical traditions. One of the main things I need to remember is that life is about living. We only get one chance at life and when it comes down to we can't spend our lives worrying. Financially we will never be stable enough. Our loved ones will never do enough. We will never be completely satisfied with our lives, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The struggles are what influence to work harder, do better, and be greater. If at first we don't receive what we desire, we must keep pressing on and trying again. My dads visit really put into perspective that I have focusing so much on "sweating the small things" that I haven't fully been able to enjoy myself. This Halloween season will be a wonderful one.

Happy Halloween all!

Alexis Zoe