Friday, March 18, 2011

Just Thinking....

"Opportunities are never lost. Someone takes the ones you miss."

I believe this quote wholeheartedly. Therefore, I'm trying my hardest to soak up and rock out every opportunity that's presented! My grandpa says, "Can't never could do anything." I use to really hate when he'd tell my sister and I that, because it was generally when we were whining about having to clean something or straighten something up. Ha! But now that I'm older, I've realized that the only way to make things happen for yourself is to get up and do things yourself. Things REALLY aren't going to be handed to you. *gasp!*

I'm really lucky that I had a Daddy who constantly planted the yearning inside me to make something of myself. He would always talk about how it takes hard work and the drive to apply yourself to achieve the things you want to achieve.

I have crazy high hopes and goals that, to some, might seem unreachable... but I don't see it that way at all. Everything CAN be reached... but Daddy was right - It DOES take hard work. Crazy hard work. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. Sometimes I get really worn out and sometimes I feel like I don't have much of a social life anymore... but I just keep praying, and I know that God is going to use it all. I believe with all my heart that I'm going to be where I want to be one day... .and that helps me get through my "Character Building Years." I'm so thankful for these years too... because I'm having to humble myself in so many different ways. I wish my life was glamorous right now... but it's not at all. My apartment is still pretty much bare of furniture, my refrigerator has about three things in it, my car is missing three hub caps (lol!), I don't own any technology that starts with the lowercase "i", and I'm always faced with the decision of buying super cute shoes or eating dinner for the next two nights. The shoes generally win.

Dad was right... Life is about working your butt off to make things happen for yourself and the sacrifices you may have to make to seize opportunities. I'm so happy. I'm so happy things are the way they are right now. Granted, some days I may complain, but I know that I'm still smack dab in the center of the Lord's will for my life. He promises that everything happens for the good and He has a plan and a hope for my future. I'm so fortunate that I've learned early that money isn't everything... joy and happiness come from somewhere that you can feel... but isn't tangible at all. It's in the attitudes that you choose for your day and the attitudes you choose for others. I'd rather have the joy of building REAL friendships with people instead of the motive to step on them to advance. I'd rather do things the right way and work harder... than do things the wrong way because it might seem easier.

Chances are ALWAYS worth taking. Every Opportunity is ALWAYS worth pursuing. When it's all said and done... we're either going to succeed or we're going to fail. But failure is just a new beginning, because then...the joy in the journey starts all over again.