And So It Continues...

            “Please don’t spill on my couch,” were the first words that tumbled out of my mouth as my friend sat down on the light blue fabric. As soon as I uttered those words, I immediately wanted to retract them and shove them back into my head. He teasingly said, “I know, I won’t.” Exactly five seconds later he told me, what I dreaded to hear. “I spilled some soy sauce on your couch.” (This is the part in the story where a normal sane person would proceed to tell him, it’s okay, and not to cry over spilt milk) Oh no! Not I! As soon as he got up I ran for the Spray n Wash, followed by vigorous scrubbing, and finally, tossing the fabric into the dirty laundry for prompt cleaning. After these actions I started to compulsively clean my room, even though there was nothing really to clean. Now folks, try to contain your laughter, I then started to sob uncontrollably cry a little. Was I crying because I was upset about the spill? No. I was crying because sometimes I feel as though what I say, whether it be to my friends, co-workers, or peers, gets totally disregarded. I will break my back trying to help others out, and by trying to listen to what others have to say. When it comes to me, I feel like I am not held with the same respect. It was at this exact moment I realized, I am turning into my mother. She would often ask me if I was totally disregarding her on purpose, or what? Now I know exactly what she was talking about.

            This is a concept I used to dread as a teenager. There was no nightmare greater than that of becoming my mother. Now, as I grow older, I can only hope to become half the person she is (even with all the O.C.D. moments). The home where I was raised is probably the cleanest home anyone would ever come across. We have two cats, and the floors are so clean you can eat off of them. As my friends can attest to, I have picked up this perfection-cleaning O.C.D. clean trait. My room here is spotless.  My room lacks piles of clothes, my desk is cleared, books organized, dressers free of clutter, and my bed is made everyday. So what is the point of all this you ask? To say I am proud to be like my mom. She is the kindest, most loving, thoughtful person I have ever known. She does good for others, before ever doing anything for herself. I actually can’t even remember the last time she did anything for herself. She is courageous, and has taught me everything I need to know for life, without even knowing she taught me. She Mr. Miyagi’d me, and my friends, that is a weird but awesome feeling. I no longer fear the outcome of turning into my mother, I rather embrace the idea. I have a ways to go, wisdom to collect, and kids to fight for and with until I reach her complex state of being.

            Now I laugh at the idea that I cried over the soy sauce spill, because I like knowing I am my mother’s daughter. Whether I have the good, the bad, or the ugly traits I will be happy to embrace them all (maybe just the good one's). So to end this long blog I will say what I know my mom would tell me, “Continue to treat others the way you want to be treated.” Now go off into the world, and do your thing! 

And So It Goes...

            My alarm went off, once again at 7am sharp! I moaned and groaned, rolled over hit the snooze button, and went back to sleep for what seemed like a second. 7:30am hit me when the alarm screamed my name and told me to get my lazy butt out of bed. Something was different about this morning. Something was not the same. I looked in the mirror and my appearance was quite the same. Tousled hair, puffy bags under the eyes, and a little bit of drool left over on the left cheek from the nights’ sleep. However, I was an entirely different person on the inside, this morning.

            I set goals for myself this term, which would change the course of my life. You may see them as simple goals, with little to no impact at all, but for me they are huge! This term I want to have fun with school. I don’t want to wake up and head to the chore of classes and homework I often dread. Instead I want to wake up feeling privileged for the opportunity my family has provided me with attending school. There are too many people in this world that will never have the opportunity they deserve to go to school. I want to cherish every day I attend my classes. I want to get the most out of my education, and if I’m not enjoying school to the fullest, well I shouldn’t be here. My second goal is to read a book for fun. I can’t remember the last time I have had time to read a book, and I love to read. I want to get lost in a world of my own imagination. I want to be inspired by the writer who took the time to write the book in order for the audience to get lost in the words.

Lastly, and most importantly, I want to be forgiving. Often times when a deadline is set in my job I organize, plan, and get the job done before the deadline even hits. When my co-workers don’t do the same I sometimes am frustrated. I need to understand everyone has lives and commitments, and these people are their own people. I am in charge of myself, and no one else. I want to forgive those who I have been selfish toward in my own wants. This will be an ongoing struggle for me, but I will do my best.            

Now here my friends, is where you come in. Think about something you want to change in your lives. It can be something simple or something extravagant. Set the goal and aspiration with an open mind. Tell another friend to keep you accountable. I would love to know my friends are setting goals for themselves this term along with me.

Here are some ideas to spark your interest:

• Call someone you love once a week, and tell them you love and appreciate them.
• Smile when you walk into work at the very first person you see every single day.
• Take a walk, and appreciate the world we live in. (Like my aunt used to tell me, “Duh says you gotta stop and smell the flowers.”)
• Send an encouraging note to a friend, a hand written one, not a Facebook note.
•  Look in the mirror and tell yourself you love yourself (I know it sounds weird) but if you can’t do that, you can’t really love others now can you?

I would love to hear your stories of success, and even failure. Life is beautiful and I can’t wait to see what it has in store for me. 

Mom Said

     My mom used to tell me when I was younger, "Coleen, money doesn't grow on trees." Now I am in college and that phrase makes even more sense than it did back then. I am often caught up in the hustle and bustle of school worrying about money. Will I have enough this term? I need to pay how much to get my transcript? Why is interest on my loan so much? I keep thinking back on my mother's statement money doesn't grow on trees. Think about all the time we waste worrying about money, and stressing about the next paycheck.

     There are so many ideas more valuable than money we can never grow on trees. What is more important than money, time. I ponder the idea of time growing on trees, easily available for someone to simply pick a couple extra weeks off, days, or even minutes. Life would be such a different place if we could take just one more day with someone we loved. Have one more extra minute to kiss our loved ones before heading out the door for work. 

     I urge you to consider time after reading this. We only have so much of it. Our weeks, days, and minutes are numbered, and we can't grow anymore. Take the extra time to say goodbye and I love you to the people you love. You never know when that phrase will be your last. Stop worrying about the money, your hard work will provide for you. Instead, spend the time to count the blessings you do have. Enjoy the time which doesn't grow on trees.