Thursday, December 3, 2015

This I Believe--Alyssa

The Power of Perspective

          I believe perspective can be rather important when faced with difficult situations.  I have been through many different seasons of life, good and bad.  At the time, that was exactly how I labeled them, good and bad.  Yet when I look back at those game changing moments, I try looking at them in another way.  By doing this, I go back and “re-label” those situations. 

          For example, I recently went through a situation in which I had finally become friends with and eventually the girlfriend of the guy that I had like for three years.  I was ecstatic, and I went on many memorable adventures with him and his friends.  It was a season that I labeled as “good”.  Then there were some trying times in our relationship, and he broke off the relationship.  Though he did it in a kind way, I was devastated.  My best friend began to ignore me, and the other friends I had come to know slightly began avoiding me.  This I labeled as a “bad” season.

          As I went through the months after that, I began looking back and realizing a few things.  I thought about how much I had changed, and how I was not as afraid to be myself.  This was a good thing about the relationship, but then I started pointing out other things.  First, I had compromised college for him.  I had planned on going to a ministry school since seventh grade, and took a totally different direction from that.  Second, I feel like I became more critical.  He and his friends could be rather critical, and unfortunately, I picked up the habit.  Lastly, because I am a Christian, I believe that my walk with God was not as strong.  I put the relationship with my boyfriend as priority over Him.  Looking at it from that perspective, I cannot simply label that as a good season.  Sure it was enjoyable, but I had to put a different label on it.

          So with the break up that I initially labeled as “bad,” I can now go back and see the good in it.  I again decided to go to ministry school beginning in January.  Sure I might not have gone to ministry school right away, but I had the opportunity to further my education.  I now have the opportunity to continue with my college education, and pursue my dreams.  I was also able to make friends at college, and I know that I will make more when I go off to ministry school.  To top that all off, my walk with God became strong again, and I feel blessed to be close to the Lord again.  It is now hard for me to label this season as bad after realizing all of that.

         So, with all of that said, I realized that perspective is powerful.  It has the power to change minds and situations.  It can teach us important lessons that can strengthen and empower us.  So, before you decide if the glass is half empty or half full, or look at a situation for what it seems to be, remember, perspective is key.


          

This I Believe--Natalie

What’s Next?
            At some point in your life you will ask yourself what’s next, what do I do now? As you take steps in life this is a frequently asked question to not only yourself, but to others as well. When you learn to drive or graduate from high school there are questions that follow these major steps in life.  Like what’s next?
            What do I do now that I’m out of high school? What is going to happen next? What steps do I take next? Those are only a couple of questions that I faced when leaving high school and being considered somewhat an adult. You never know what exactly is going to happen next, no one ever will. Having a game plan going into your first year of college or starting a new job is the best method I believe, like what field you are wanting to major in or if you are going to start at a two year school where will you go to finish. You may still ask yourself what’s next, but it won’t be because you don’t know but simply because you aren’t sure what to do in the situation you are put in.
All throughout life there are several decisions that are faced with growing older like simple decisions and more in depth decisions that will affect the rest of your life and you don’t want to be burdened with the what if’s. Some people are certain and know step by step what they are going to take throughout their career path, but there may be some bumps that appear along the way and it all depends on how you deal with the bump in the road to get back on the right track. Even if the bump may be bigger than you think and takes longer to overcome it’s all part of the plan.
            Since I have graduated my life has made a complete 360 degree turn I believe for the better. Starting my first year of college I was two hours away from home living the college athlete life trying to become a nursing major. I was constantly asking myself what’s next, because I was not mentally ready to manage everything that was on my schedule. Some days I felt there was not enough hours in the day to possibly get everything done and some days I felt that I had no clue what I was going to happen the next day. I contemplated several life changing decisions because of the circumstances that I was put in. No, I do not regret going to be a college athlete. I loved every minute of it and miss it like crazy, but now I can say that I am more focused on my career and education than ever before and I do not question myself or doubt myself like before.

            Questions are bound to appear with the process of life whether it be about world crime, politics, personal decisions or a career path. There are several instances that I’ve asked What’s next, for example when you are going through a really tough time in your life and you feel the need to give up because nothing is going right, you simply ask what’s next.