According to Science Daily, the “Peter Pan Syndrome” affects people who do not want or feel unable to grow up, people with the body of an adult but the mind of a child.
In approximately eight days I will graduate from the University of Florida with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and I can’t help but diagnose myself with this. You see part of me doesn’t want to grow up and leave this amazing place, full of wonderful memories. As humans, it is in our nature to resist change, to run from it and hide. We seek comfort and control. I desire comfort and control, and to not be an adult on some days. However, there is a part of me that seeks change and newness. I desire for more wonderful memories, but at the same time cringe at the fact that this very desire requires people and places be left behind.
When I entered into the University of Florida as a freshman I would have never guessed the future held what it did. Ahead of me were new amazing friends, opportunities of a lifetime, and memories that define who I am. I had the amazing chance to become part of an organization named, Chi Alpha. This group of Jesus-lovers became my family. They pushed me towards God and his plan for my life in more ways than I knew possible. They taught me authentic community and friendship. I was a member of Greenhouse Church. This church, WOW, I can’t even put into words how this church changed my life. I attended Breakthrough at this church and began to truly understand what a relationship with Jesus looked like and felt like. I had the opportunity to learn a new language. I studied Spanish and was able to travel and use that language to build lifelong friendships in multiple countries. I had the chance to cheer in a stadium with 90,000 others for The Great Orange and Blue. This truly gave me a glimpse of what heaven will one day look like. Thousands upon thousands unified in worship. I had the opportunity to save lives and teach others. I received my Emergency Medical Responder and Emergency Medical Technician Licenses while at UF. I then became a teaching assistant for the class and taught others the same. I had the opportunity to laugh, cry, cheer, love, grow, mature, learn, and LIVE.
I think the biggest thing that UF taught me is that God’s plans are beyond fathomable and always better than mine. I would have never imagined that he wrote this amazing story for me. It is this fact that comforts my heart through the change. I know that because this small part of my story was so amazing that the rest is sure to be even better.
So yes, I don’t want to grow up and leave my friends and my University, but I will and I will go forth in peace because God is good and I have a far greater Neverland ahead.
Part of this Neverland includes The World Race. I can’t go without you! Please consider joining my team!
“To live will be an awfully big adventure!” – Peter Pan
