Good morning, friends! I realize that most of the people reading this blog are probably either my friends or just avid blog readers so I will use the term friend to open for today.
Welcome to 2014! It is the start to a new year. This new year brings excitement, growth, struggle, happiness, sadness, and thrill. Why is this year any different than the year prior? It is because the new year of 2014 is innocent in nature and nothing has tarnished the memories of the year yet. We idolize that each new year is a fresh start just as we did when we graduated from high school, undergraduate, or even graduate school. We see the new year as an opportunity to re-invent ourselves or create resolutions that seem timely but most fail in the long term.
2014 means something different for me - it is an opportunity to shape who I am not redefine who I already am. I see this year as an opportunity to listen less to those who poison my happiness and strive more to live a life focuses on seizing the day rather than waiting for someone to tell me to leap. Although this does sound somewhat idealistic, I believe I need to step focused on my well being, happiness, and plans for the future. Of course, I have my "council of mentors" who will be sounding boards for my plans to help me evaluate my life but more so to make sure I am not going "too far off the deep end."
2014 begins new journeys for me in my professional career and navigating each experience with intentionality and purpose will be crucial. Will I be perfect? Heck no but will I learn from the hurdles that present themselves to me - absolutely! My love and passion for student affairs makes me only more excited for the next steps I take throughout 2014.
2014 encourages me to seek more time to be with Him. Last night was a prime example. I was the designated driver, by choice, for the New Year's Eve festivities. Chris Tomlin's Indescribable came on the radio (video provided below).
During the last 10 minutes of my drive, I was like I know this song. As the song began, I started singing and tears rolled down my face but I realized that God was talking to me. The moment that the praise and worship because a true conversation with Him. It made me think - what have I done to uphold His glory? Of course, I am aware that I will fall short but how am I working to follow His plan for my life. In that moment, I am sitting at a red light praying that God will have His had in my life because I am nothing without Him. Faith has always been a proponent of what my life should embody. May God was trying to tell me something last night but all I can think is that I was present and learning to be. I continue to seek more for and with Him.
After reading this, many of you may say you have a hefty plan for 2014. Actually, I think I have allowed this to be a framework for the year. I had a supervisor once that told me that you have a tapestry to work but how you work with that canvas is a work of art. I could not agree more. Therefore, I strive to live more passionately focus on who I am; navigate my career with excitement and intentional conversations and direction; continue to shape who I am and not keep "reinventing the wheel;" and follow my heart through faith and prayer.
2014 will be a great year - how will you be a part of my journey? Only time will tell.
May your day be filled with peace, love, and joy.
Love and Respect,
Stephen
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