Unsettled

"I have a test tomorrow."
"I have to write a paper."
"I need to get some sleep."
"I have to go to a meeting."
"I have so much homework to do."
"I should go to the library."
"I am so stressed out."

What do all of these statements have in common? Yes, you got it...the word "I". I'm realizing that these four years of college, no matter how involved one is in extracurriculars or volunteer activities, is very self-serving. It causes me to become irritated when my views get so skewed that I think my tests and academic success (or the lack thereof) is the only important thing in this world. Unfortunately, I fall into that belief often. What a joke! With professors on my back and students constantly achieving academic success (which is great!), it is easy to slip into this mindset.

Now that I'm in my third year of college, I have been able to pinpoint my source of occasional discontentment with this chapter of my life. I want to invest my time in something other than constantly myself. However, I must remind myself that these four years of college (and hopefully four years of optometry school) is the time I'll be putting in to prepare for the long-term lifestyle I desire. This lifestyle will allow me to do meaningful activities and build/maintain enriching relationships and "success" in all aspects of life--not just the academic one.

I'm thankful for my Millsaps education and for the friendships, experiences, and life lessons I've gained here because there is, after all, a time for everything.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

(1) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
(2) a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
(3) a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
(4) a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
(5) a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
(6) a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
(7) a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
(8) a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.