Blog Post Nineteen - “Protecting Peace at All Costs”
If you had told me a year ago that I’d be at Syracuse University, I would have laughed. Boston was the dream—the city, the energy, the endless opportunities. It felt like the perfect fit. But life has a way of leading us exactly where we need to be, even if it’s not what we originally envisioned.
Just a few months ago, I pictured myself at a school in Boston, surrounded by my friends from home, finally living the life I had been waiting for while feeling stuck at my old school. Funny enough, things turned out completely different—and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
For the longest time, I believed that the right place had to be the most exciting one. I thought comfort and fun were the ultimate indicators of belonging. Yet through this journey, I’ve learned that true fulfillment isn’t found in temporary highs, like the ones I experienced when I was in Boston, it’s found where peace and joy meet halfway. That’s where it is. Where you find yourself. And that’s what Syracuse has unexpectedly given me.
Okay, but can we talk about how transferring is scary! It’s messy… It’s starting over when you thought you had everything figured out. I am a twenty year old sophomore in college and I had spent so much time envisioning my future in Boston that anything else felt like settling. But as the process unfolded right before my very eyes, I realized I wasn’t just choosing a school—I was choosing my peace. See, those fleeting moments of euphoria, though exhilarating, were nothing more than temporary highs—brief and thought-provoking, yet ultimately unfulfilling. They added nothing to my future, personal growth, or lasting fulfillment.
I won’t claim it’s been easy, but I can confidently say I’ve never felt more at peace with such a decision. Slowly, I have started to embrace the change. I found people here who share my ambitions, professors who challenged me in the best ways, and opportunities that aligned with my goals in ways I never imagined. Sometimes, we cling to an idea of what our life should look like, so much so that we ignore what’s actually best for us. I wanted Boston because it seemed like the bold, exciting choice. But Syracuse? It surprised me in the best way possible. I chose Syracuse because I knew it would offer the balance I needed and the growth I sought—without getting lost in chaos or superficial distractions.
Enough about the Syracuse lore—this is for you. Whoever you are, reading this, I want you to understand the importance of protecting your peace. If you're feeling uncertain, hesitant, or torn about a decision, remember this: the right choice is where both happiness and peace align. If one is not aligned with the other, then that is not for you. So, find both.
So, this applies to everything—your relationship, your job, your school choices, even the little decisions like whether to go out tonight. If something lacks happiness, peace, or both, take a step back. The right choice isn’t just where one exists without the other—it’s where they align. That’s where the truth is. That’s where you’re meant to be. In that city, at that school, in that job, with that friend, with that partner. Pay attention. Listen closely.
At the end of the day, protecting your peace means trusting yourself. Deep down, you already know the answer—so stop ignoring it. Listen, not to the version of you chasing an idea of success, but to the one that truly knows where you belong. No, this wasn’t the plan. But sometimes, life’s best moments come from the paths we never expected to take.
Right now, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, and where I want to be. I’ve never felt more at peace in my life. It’s like savoring the richest, creamiest dessert—each bite a melt-in-your-mouth moment of pure bliss. I encourage you to indulge in the same, because nothing compares to the sweetness of the overwhelming sense of peace.
