It has been quite some time since I have written.  I have wanted to write, but I was a little unsure of my desired topic when in reality I know that I just need to start again.  I had an amazing Spring semester and I was involved in a lot of Beef Industry activities.  Now, I am back at home and finishing up with school and I have not felt like I have been making the impact that I want.  They say that your Senior year is supposed to be the easiest, HA!!  This semester has been one of my most challenging.  I credit a lot of that to my own undoing by taking on a little more than I could handle. In less than 40 days I will be able to walk across that stage having accomplished one of my goals in life.  Who would have thought that the day would ever come?  I know that I have often wondered if it would EVER happen and I was the one pursuing the degree.

It has been a long journey with some bumps and hills and rough patches along the way, but one thing I have learned is that the journey made me the person I am today.  I am so grateful for the journey; It has made me understand that hard work, determination, and more hard work can help a person overcome anything.  The choices that I made when I was younger were not always the right ones. While some set me back, others helped me push forward.  I know that your past makes you who you are but it does not define you.  You have the choice and the opportunity to look back to the past, but also make different choices to change your future.  I recently came across a motivational speaker named Gary Vaynerchuk and I was struck by his relevance.  I have listened to most of his material and one thing that has stuck with me the last couple of weeks is PATIENCE.  I need patience. I have so much time left and instead of trying to do it all overnight, I need to be patient and let it all play out.  If you have not heard of him before, be sure to check him out.  While his language may not be appropriate for all ages, his work is on point and I really enjoy it.

I am so thankful that Mattie is here on this journey with me as well. She is the one that has helped push me to make changes for the future without even knowing it.  I cannot wait until she gets a little older and then she can understand that getting out there and pursuing your dreams is possible. One day she can look back (or have me tell her) on the things that I have done and know that even when you think all is lost, there is still hope. If you keep pushing and working hard, things will fall into place.

I have tossed the idea around for the last two years, but I do believe that I am going to try and stick around in Aggieland for a couple more years and get my Master’s degree. I have officially submitted my paperwork, so we shall see what happens.  I have grown so much here in the last three years, why not grow some more and get a little more out of my comfort zone?

Thoughts for the week:

So many times, and over so many things, I analyze and stress about things that have not happened yet or could potentially not even happen at all.  I have been working so hard with staying in the present; Yes plan for the future, but do not agonize over what is not even known.  Appreciate every day that you get and make the most of that day.  Most of all keep pushing, the best things are yet to come.