Settling or extending opportunities?

Its been a year since I graduated from college, and in that year, I believe I have accomplished a lot. I have a good job, doing something that I like, which could lead into exactly the kind of job I have been dreaming of my entire life. (Or something else, if that's what I decide I want) I have found the (I think) perfect apartment. I have found some incredibly meaningful friendships, and changed the ones that weren't so great before. I have bought lots of fabulous shoes. I have been to Japan! All of these things and more have come to me in such a short time, and I finally feel that all of the hard work and late nights of college life are starting to pay off. I am in a good place. But why do I feel that I am compromising? Why do I feel like I should be doing something more? Am I giving up on some other great thing?

Here's what I think: It is time to grow up. Its time to stop worrying that we might miss out on something, or that we aren't living life to the fullest. As we get older, no matter how hard we fight it, responsibility catches up with us, and some decisions have to be made. The trick, I think, is to make those decisions based on what makes us happy, not what seems appropriate, based on what other people are doing. If the two line up, fine, but if not, then we have to have the strength to go our own way. There is a very slippery slope in front of all of us, where we have the choice to be happy, or take the often easier route and fall into the rank and file, and march along for the rest of our lives. Be happy- that will get you everything else in the end, because you will follow your passion, and you will make something of your life because you love it, not because you have to.