22

This post may be a little late in coming but better late than never. Since I recently had a birthday, I wanted to dedicate a blog post to things I've learned in the past year about life and myself. It may be a little jumbled, because some of the things I've learned are things I've been learning for not only the past year, but the past several years. So if you're reading this, please bear with me.

Biggest Lessons Learned
I've learned so much about perseverance. This has been one of those ongoing, year to year lessons, but I've especially learned a lot about it in school this year. Sticking with something even though you hate it, even though every day is a struggle to get out of bed and go, and not just go, but to have a good attitude, because you know in the end, it will get you to where you need to be. I'm not finished with school yet, but I feel like now it is a little easier. And I'm stronger for it, because I've done stuff that I haven't felt like doing at all. I guess you could say I've developed a little more discipline. A little.

I've also learned a little more about taking advantage of opportunities I'm given. And I don't mean the big, once in a lifetime opportunities that we tend to focus on, although those are super important too. I mean the little things every day that give me the chance to really live and appreciate life. To quit waiting for something "better" to come along and to seize what has already been given to me. Getting out of my comfort zone, or my "zoned out" zone, and waking up! Quit waiting for life to get better and start making it better. Not like a control freak, but like someone who has a purpose for living. Because if I'm are still alive, there's a reason. This is a lesson I'm praying that God will keep showing me more about and keep working on my heart to change to be more "in the moment".

Biggest Achievement
I think my biggest achievement and the one I'm the happiest about, although it may not seem like that big of a deal, is that I grew as a musician. Being in a praise band really stretched me to be able to learn how to play with others and it was so fun! At the beginning, I couldn't read hardly any chords. Now, I can play pretty much any chord and I've learned how to add more and be a bit more creative :) (This is still an area that I would love to grow much more in though.)
Another achievement that I'm pretty proud of is that I ran my first 10k race. I wasn't able to run the whole thing through, but I did run almost all of it, and going from a girl who 2 years ago couldn't even run a mile to running 6.2, it's kind of a big deal to me, so I'm pretty proud of it.

Biggest Regret
My biggest regret would be anytime I wasted opportunities for growth or just coasted through days. I also regret not being passionate enough about myself, my purpose, and my work, enough to put in the effort it takes to be great. Being in New York this weekend inspired me to take pride in myself and what I do, and not to compare myself to others, but to do what I do because I believe in it. This goes for all aspects of my life.

Biggest Goals For the Next Year
1. To wake up everyday with renewed purpose. This mindset will have to be from God, and so I want to start out every day remembering that it's from Him, and if I'm still alive, He wants to use me. If I believe that, then I will set time aside to spend with Him and grow in Him. I want to be completely faithful and not waste any time.
2. To grow in my profession and image. I want to be passionate about what I do and I want to be excellent at it. This takes time, effort, diligence, and patience, all of which I have a hard time with. But I want to start viewing them as opportunities to make myself better and to be more successful, not for anyone else, but for me.
3. To truly love people. Self-explanatory. I want to have an endless love for others, the way that Christ does, and I want to be brave enough and humble enough to act on it.
4. To know God, to love Him with all of my heart,  and to live in the power of His Spirit every single day. I don't want to waste anything He's given. I want Him to be everything.


So these are my reflections and goals. Sometimes when I look back at my life it feels like I haven't accomplished anything. I turned 22 last week, and I feel that I don't have much to show for it. However, God has done much in me and I want Him to do so much more. I'm looking forward to what He has next, whatever it may be. And I need you all to hold me accountable. If you don't mind, check on me every now and again, ask me if I'm living each day with renewed purpose. I would really appreciate it :)

"We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are..."

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19