Appreciate who you have

Do not be anxious to keep company or even appear in public and in the company of others for no reason. You should instead dedicate your precious time in the company of your wiser and more prudent relatives, priests, and seriously-minded people, young and old alike.

-St. Gregory the Theologian

I read this in the church bulletin recently, and this passage resonates with me as a student. It is written in the context of advice for Christian women from St. Gregory, especially to new brides. In college and over the weekends, a lot of people go out to bars and parties to do what we call face-time. Apparently, this term isn't so widely used outside of Mizzou, but face timing is going out so people see that you are out. Walking a lap around the bar to say your hellos, making an appearance or talking with a classmate over a quick drink at a party all constitute this definition. 

It's a temptation that's easy to fall into. Rarely do people keep eye contact in a conversation anymore, especially in a bar or party setting, because everyone seems to be waiting for more. Who's going to text you next? Who's walking in the door next? Who else do I need to establish myself with by saying a quick hello? People are missing out on spending time with their own, real friends because they're too busy paying attention to the 'could-be' friends that are in and out of the social setting. 

As a senior, I want to be spending my last semester at Mizzou with people I care about and want to see, not the faux notion that there is an obligation to "have to" see everyone else I've met in college. It's nice to see St. Gregory reinforce appreciating what and who you have, instead of dwelling on the 'coulds' of life.