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.