Wow winter break is flying by! I am super excited to see people back on campus and for a lot of things but I do wish we had a little longer to work on personal projects and relax. :) Dang I have a lot I want to do before going back (books I want to read, journaling, things I want to write/blog, some applications, other personal projects I want to get done:)), so here’s to hopefully doing most of that and not stressing and just relaxing throughout and yay! :’)
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on today. Today was one of those days that did not go as expected as the day took a really positive turn. I woke up feeling pretty tired (these past couple of days I’ve been getting up pretty early) and was a bit stressed about finishing (or honestly, doing most of) an application due at night and having to make up a six mile jog from yesterday (since I thought it was going to rain I ended up sleeping late the night before, but it turned out to be okay in the morning) and hanging out with some people all in one day. It was one of the first days this break where I was a bit more stressed (and reminded me that this upcoming semester I will have days like this, and should take action to stay on top of my work but also not overstress and remember that it’ll all be okay!).
However, I found that I just had to take things one step at a time. And I just had to take a first step.
In the morning, I first went to early service at Church with some friends from high school as my Church began a new series today called “Googling God,” and the first question they addressed today was “Is God Real?”. We then went to High School Ministry the second service and it was so nice to hear another message and to spend time with friends and jam out a little. :) Then, after a yummy home-cooked lunch (another thing I am grateful for today! Thank you Mommy:)), I started working on the application. I just dived in and rather than worry about my application being perfect (my perfectionistic tendencies oops), I just began working. I made really good progress and then I decided it was time to head out for my six mile jog. I felt tired and lowkey wanted to take a nap (I didn’t really want to go on the jog), so I was super surprised when I began and felt really energized. I ended up hitting a PR for a six mile jog and didn’t really stop the whole time (partially because it was getting dark and I wanted to make it back before it did haha). I then came back, showered, and finished the rest of the application and submitted it before going out to dinner with a friend who just got into Penn. I then spent some quality time with my parents before coming back to my room to reflect. :’)
I apologize that this post is a bit of a ramble, but I think I truly was reminded yet again today, especially as I jogged and felt energized and reflected on how I was making such great progress on the application, that sometimes we just have to start something! All I had to do was start my application, and all I had to do was go outside and start my jog! (And then finish them of course but I had to start somewhere! I know this is cliché but it’s so true. Just start! :)) I was listening to a couple podcasts as I jogged, and two pieces of advice I got were to just start (do 5 minutes of something) and to maybe try working in 25 minute chunks (I think I was listening to Zero to Seven Figures Daily Advice for Entrepreneurs - I pretty much just search up “motivation” or a topic and sometimes listen to a podcast while I jog/workout). I realized and was reminded yet again, that too often, maybe because of my perfectionistic tendencies, I am scared to start something if I can’t finish it or do it well, but I just need to take a step and utilize the time I have!
As I jogged, I also used the mantra “one step after another,” or “just one more step” (as my runner friend advised me - thank you!), which was super helpful, and I think that applied to my day too. :)
So here’s to just starting somewhere and spending even five minutes on something! Because who knows where you’ll go from there!!! :’)
Praise be to God for the day!!! :’) Thank you.
Saved by grace, through faith.
With love,
Joyce
Bible verse connection: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17 I don’t want to ever get too caught up in wordly things but I think this verse can apply too in terms of just getting things you should/need to done! :) And of course, it always applies in terms of pursuing God and a relationship with Him and serving Him. And just in terms of living a God-honoring life. :’)
P.S. I took this photo while my family was in Hawaii this past summer! I remember finding this flower on the ground and feeling very grateful for its beauty and just taking everything in! :’) (Similar to how I felt today :)) I love those reflective moments where we think “dang, life is so beautiful” and “wow I’m so grateful.” :’)
P.P.S. Thanks for tuning into my more casual reflective post! :)
Comments