~A seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination~

This is one definition of the word alchemy.  I have heard of this word before but it certainly was not part of my vernacular nor was I able to articulate its definition. There are several meanings to this word. It originally referred to altering and purifying metals and elements in the ancient world. Today it can refer to megabytes or even a means of risk-management for companies trying to increase their profitability. So many meanings from one ancient word. It is kind of interesting how a word is transformed over time, which is really what the word means. The word alchemy became an alchemy. Anyway, see what happens when a word lands on you and you do a little research. Quite interesting, but megabytes do not interest me. But the alchemy of a young life does.

I love that definition, a seemingly magical process of transformation. As that phrase danced around in my head and the image of the word alchemy caused me to think of my youngest daughter and her current stage of life. It’s funny how a thought can trigger something so random but she is in a seemingly magical process of transformation. As a college senior, my daughter is being molded by thoughts and ideas that will be deposited into a future career. She is studying Urban Studies with a concentration in Urban Planning and a minor in hospitality and tourism at the College of Charleston. It’s such a cool major/minor with many varying tracks. It’s becoming more and more apparent that there is a tremendous need for transformation within urban areas across the country. There have been so many societal changes and now towns and cities need to figure out how to rework what was already established decades ago. Urban planners have a lot to figure out; trying to blend the old with the new, an alchemy of sorts.

The college and young adult years are also an alchemy of emotions, trials, experiences and at times, life-altering events. Those in their 20’s are trying to figure out so many things. What’s my career path? Where will I live?  How will I pay off my student loan? Do I have to move back to my parent’s house? Will I be able to afford to travel? Will I find my forever person? All these things to someone in their 20’s sounds so overwhelming. But to me, someone in their 50’s, the future sounds exciting and wide open with opportunities. The possibilities seem endless because I have a life-history of experiences to make that determination. I can look at my youngest daughter and think how exciting; she has the world ahead of her to dream and explore life.

So this new word (alchemy) has such a variety of implication. Cities and towns are often in the need of transformation and perhaps the altering and blending of concepts is part of that process. Young adults are exposed to an alchemy of life experiences. I’m not sure if this is the most accurate use of the word, but as a child of mine dives through the water of life, like a mermaid, she is being transformed into something quite unique and exciting.