Timing Is Everything

So its been a while since my last post and I can honestly say that lately inspiration to write hasn't really been there. However, I've found a little incitement and it is mainly due to the insane pace my life has bolted into as the last semester of my career at UT comes to a close. I've done a lot of reflecting lately due to the current state my life is in and I realize that while a lot of things are in my control, some simply aren't. It's the things that I can't control that seem to perplex me most and I end up with a desire to control them, only to be brought back to earth and realize I can't. For some situations being in the wrong place at the wrong time leads to that lack of control we so desire while in other situations the "thing" we most want to have is there the whole time and not being able to have it is simply due to timing. A lesson I'm quickly learning is that you really can't always get what you want. Society says if you work hard enough you can do just about anything and most of the time that's true but when it isn't, how we face what's out of our control says a lot about us. Lately I see that facing what I can't have and accepting it is extremely difficult but it is simply part of life. Now, more than ever, having to move on and truly transition into this thing we call "adulthood" and face situations from a mature perspectives is a good thing, and by accepting what I can't control I am much more at ease. In these realizations I was also made aware that acceptance of what we can't control should not be an excuse to give up on something worth fighting for, there is a huge difference. So step back, look at what you can actually control, accept what you can't, and fight for what is worth fighting for, even if it means failing, because sometimes failing is better than not trying.

Enjoy It!

It's unseasonably sunny and warm, campus is alive, and everyone I know is just happier. It's out of the ordinary days like this that make you realize how great things actually are and made me realize what a problem I have of getting in a boring and mundane routine. Unfortunately, school is a big reason I get in these "slumps" and I simply just get through the day because of it, but I've realized that life is way too short to "get through the day." My current up swing in mood made me realize that actually "living" my day is way better. The beauty of living the day is that it's actually pretty simple. For me, it's nothing more than realizing that I need to focus on the positive and get away from my typically pessimistic attitude, which is why awesome weather was able to evoke this realization, it "brightened" my day (pun intended.) With that said, I've decided that more days than not can and should be bright ones. Cliche, maybe, but if cliche's are able to evoke living your day instead of drudging through it then I'm all for it. So open your eyes, there is something bright in every day, God made sure of it so enjoy it.

Unsettled

Hard work and dedication is often a phrase associated with some type of sport or competitive activity but not used too often with relationships. Why is this? Well it's pretty simple, as nature would have it, impulsiveness is something that most struggle with, especially in the world of dating. You see it, you want it, you go for it, and this works...sometimes. I've heard the phrase "you're just too picky" all of my adult life and to that I say, yes, I am and with great reason. By being "picky" I've decided exactly what I'm looking for and have to say that I have no regrets if finding it means being single for years to come. I think it's safe to say that those awesome couples that have been together for 50 plus years didn't settle. It's knowing exactly what you want and what you deserve that makes relationships. Like winter makes summer that much sweeter, patient persistence in finding exactly what your looking for makes the wait worth it. Once that person is found the hard work and dedication that goes into a relationship is worth it, and it's because you know that person is worth it. So be picky, be unsettled, and when what you're looking for comes along go for it with everything you have, even if that "something" is years in the future.

Stepping Out

I think its fair to say that most people have a pretty clear idea of comfort zones and thus are able to recognize their own. The downfall of recognizing our individual comfort zones is that they aren't always accurate. Typically they are skewed one way or the other, better put, people like to think that their "zone" is pretty large and are willing to do or say quite a bit in most situations (this is me) or they undercut themselves and create an idea that they aren't willing to do much that involves going out of their way. The problem with both is that it leads to people not doing much at all because they either don't feel the need to or they feel they can't, I'm guilty of this, hence why I'm writing. Life is complicated and presents more opportunities than we can imagine to get out of  our comfort zones if we choose to. When I think about opportunities that I've passed up or ones that I'm passing up right now it's clear that I've missed out some things that could have been great. These opportunities can range from choosing to say yes to something that might scare you to death or doing something as simple as going on a date. If we don't step out of our comfort zones its inevitable that we will miss out on some pretty awesome things in life, and let's face it, we don't enjoy looking back with regret, so step out, enjoy life.

In The Big Scheme of Things...

Ever had those moments in life where something happens and it feels like its the end of the world? Well I have. To be honest, its in those moments when I question where my life is going, why I'm in the position I'm in, and is this even worth my effort? Usually, I say no to all of the above and just want to quit, and at times I have. The problem with this is that all of us are emotional creatures, that's the way we were designed and its because of this that we want to feel sorry for ourselves and dwell on what we can't redo. What I have learned, is that with time, and sometimes not a lot of it, these irrational feeling of wanting to give up and question our entire motive aren't worth the stress or self pity when we picture them in the big scheme of things. Let's be honest, if we just step back and look at our situation compared to how bad it could have been, or how bad other people have it, we quickly see how not severe it really is. So, in moments of despair and stress just step back and look at the big picture, take a deep breathe, and respond as positive as you can to the situation at hand. Besides, its not getting knocked down that shapes your character, its how you pick yourself up.