Reflection

In the education program  they have us do a lot of reflecting. Thinking about what we are doing and why and then writing it down. One day in class we reflected about our year at college and this is what i wrote:

I can not believe i am almost finished with an entire year of college! Some days i even find myself shocked that i am actually walking around a college campus - that i am a big girl now. I have learned so much for myself. How to cook, to clean, to do laundry, when to pick my battles. Even to do homework and study without my mom having to nag and remind me about it or to do it. I have had to be completely responsible for my own self because no one else is. I have had to make decisions on my own which i struggle at, but i am working on it. I have had to learn how to communicate with others - which i also struggle at.  I have had to figure out what my own beliefs are, not what my mom and dad tell me is right or wrong. To get up and go to church, even if its by myself because that is where i want to be. I even finally figured out how to make it home - even though it took three different times of wrong turns ending up headed back to Utah or Pocatello or in Fort Hall but i made it! I found out just how important my family is to me and how much i really miss all of them. It makes me realize what i want in my future - but not too soon - im still having fun and learning how to be me on my own. I have found out who my true friends are and how important good friends and good examples in our lives really are. I have learned how to make new friends, which for me is big since i have a hard time opening up and not being shy. I have learned to be comfortable and confident in my own skin because i am truly a daughter of God and he loves me and wants me to be happy. I have it learned to find joy and happiness in the little things because life is too short to be unhappy. I have learned that holding grudges is stupid and to just get over things and blow them off and just laugh about it instead. I have learned how to have fun and to enjoy life. I have learned to enjoy alone time to think and to contemplate life, even enjoying the beauty of being outdoors. I have learned to appreciate my body and the abilities it has. Running and exercising does make me happy and i am thankful i am able to enjoy being in control of my body. When i am doing whats right i am happy and i would do anything to be happy! I know the gospel is true and without it i would be lost. Listening to your elders is important - they honestly do know what they are talking about! My parents become wiser and wiser as i grow older and i regret not listening to them sometimes. I have learned its ok to cry, it shows you care. Its also ok to laugh - its alot more fun then crying anyways! I have learned to love life! I want to take advantage of all the opportunities i have in life and i know this part of my life wont last forever. I have learned to be grateful for what i have instead of wish for what i don't have. Also people's other ideas aren't wrong - just different. We weren't all brought up exactly the same way and have different opinions about things that aren't necessarily wrong - just not the same as mine. This list can keep going on and on and will continue to keep growing. This i am thankful for because it shows me that i am learning and growing which is the whole reason we are here, to progress to become better!!

All these new experience have made me a better person. I wouldn't change being me for anything in the world. I am thankful for the ups and downs in life because they make me better. I know i am so far from perfect, i make mistakes every day. I know i can grow and get help to overcome my imperfections to someday become the person i want to be. As for now, i will continue to grow and to enjoy where i am at!! :]