Did you know that Toby Keith is the original rapper? Yes, Toby Keith the country singer. Yes, a rapper. His song, I Wanna Talk About Me, came out in 2001 and is all out how his girlfriend--or maybe just women in general--always talk about themselves and bring up conversation topics that guys could care less about. (I know I should stick up for my sex, but it's true. We do ramble about seemingly pointless topics. Sorry, guys). Go look up the music video, it's pretty hysterical.
When the song came out, I was 9 years old and listened to and loved country radio just like my dad. I Wanna Talk About Me was MY song and my dad knew it. So, when he heard the tune start up, he'd turn up the volume to the point where we could feel the car shaking with the base, and smile and chuckle to himself as I began to excitedly squirm in my seat. I knew every word and could keep up with Toby easily. Belting out this fast paced song, with my sunglasses on and my hand flowing in "waves" out the window is a vivid and favorite memory of my childhood.
In case you didn't do the math earlier in this post, I'm 20 years old now--no longer a teen, I know. It's depressing. Well, this song came on when I was on my way home from college two days ago. And just like when I was 9, the radio got cranked up and a huge grin slid onto my face. (No sunglasses, though, since it was 10:30pm. Yeah, I was disappointed too.) But, I still remembered every word! (Don't you wish we could remember educational things like we remember song lyrics? School would be so much easier!) Back to the point. Hearing MY song again reminded me of my dad and my childhood. If I was getting sleepy on that ride home, hearing the familiar tune woke me right up. It was awesome!
The point of this whole thing is that something as simple as a song is the perfect reminder of the simplicity of memories and how they stay with us for a lifetime. Each day we are making memories, whether we're conscious of it or not. I think that we--that is everyone over the age of 14 or so-- tends to get bogged down with the negativity in life. Ten years down the road, you don't want all of these negative things to cloud your memories. Making fun, happy memories seems like a simple task, but the older I get, the harder this tends to be. College is hard and I find my self skipping nights out with my friends to study or get ahead. I'm not saying that I need to stop studying, I'm just saying that I could definitely take a night or two off once in a while. Just like learning all the words to Toby's song was a challenge, focusing on the positive and living a happy life is my new challenge. And all I have to say is, I'm ready! :)
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Ah-Ha Moment
As humans, we're inquisitive. We LOVE asking questions. We all know those people, where every other sentence seems to be a question. I'm guilty of it, we all are at times. Recently though, I feel like I have been questioning the Lord more than I used to. Maybe I realize this because my relationship with Christ has become deeper and more rich, but I'm unsure.
The question that I want to highlight is why I ended up at UGA. I made the decision to not go to Michigan State 2 years ago and I still get asked, "why did you want to go to the University of Georgia?" My answer usually involves being close to my family, the beautiful campus, etc. While these are 100% true, I've known--subconsciously-- that God changed my mind about MSU and made me send in my deposit for UGA. But why? What crazy plan did he have working in my life 2 years ago? I think I know, at least part of his plan now.
I was just recently accepted to the Certificate of Personal and Organizational Leadership (CPOL) program at UGA. Each year, only 60 students are selected from the hundreds that apply. I am still in shock and completely humbled that I was selected. Our orientation sessions was on Wednesday night and that is where the Lord's plan hit me. As I sat there and listened to professors and students explain the program and the classes that we will be taking, I couldn't knock the smile off my face. I was hearing these refined and seemingly dignified people talk about self-discovery and personal knowledge that has led them to become more insightful in their lives and towards the people they come into contact with. The explained how meditation and deep thought through the classes I will soon be taking has led them to not only become better leaders, but better people. Without warning, a feeling of peace, realization, and understanding washed over me.
This moment, this opportunity, this program is the reason, or one of the main ones at least, that God inspired me to go to UGA. To develop my thoughts and passions to better serve those around me. That is leadership and he is giving me this chance to learn more about myself and how I can help other, thus serving him more completely. It was hard to shut my month after the meeting. I wanted to tell everyone that I came into contact with that I am at peace with myself and where I am in my life. I still have questions and I don't think I will ever stop asking them, but this understanding out the CPOL program and God's plan for me has reassured me that, while I might ask questions, God will answer them when he is ready. He will open my eyes to the greatness that is his light and his plan when I can handle it. We all have trials and tribulations in our lives and although earthly materials cloud our thoughts, we must remember that Christ has our best intentions in mind and that, through Him, we will be ok.
The question that I want to highlight is why I ended up at UGA. I made the decision to not go to Michigan State 2 years ago and I still get asked, "why did you want to go to the University of Georgia?" My answer usually involves being close to my family, the beautiful campus, etc. While these are 100% true, I've known--subconsciously-- that God changed my mind about MSU and made me send in my deposit for UGA. But why? What crazy plan did he have working in my life 2 years ago? I think I know, at least part of his plan now.
I was just recently accepted to the Certificate of Personal and Organizational Leadership (CPOL) program at UGA. Each year, only 60 students are selected from the hundreds that apply. I am still in shock and completely humbled that I was selected. Our orientation sessions was on Wednesday night and that is where the Lord's plan hit me. As I sat there and listened to professors and students explain the program and the classes that we will be taking, I couldn't knock the smile off my face. I was hearing these refined and seemingly dignified people talk about self-discovery and personal knowledge that has led them to become more insightful in their lives and towards the people they come into contact with. The explained how meditation and deep thought through the classes I will soon be taking has led them to not only become better leaders, but better people. Without warning, a feeling of peace, realization, and understanding washed over me.
This moment, this opportunity, this program is the reason, or one of the main ones at least, that God inspired me to go to UGA. To develop my thoughts and passions to better serve those around me. That is leadership and he is giving me this chance to learn more about myself and how I can help other, thus serving him more completely. It was hard to shut my month after the meeting. I wanted to tell everyone that I came into contact with that I am at peace with myself and where I am in my life. I still have questions and I don't think I will ever stop asking them, but this understanding out the CPOL program and God's plan for me has reassured me that, while I might ask questions, God will answer them when he is ready. He will open my eyes to the greatness that is his light and his plan when I can handle it. We all have trials and tribulations in our lives and although earthly materials cloud our thoughts, we must remember that Christ has our best intentions in mind and that, through Him, we will be ok.
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