Something I have been embracing lately is taking advantage of opportunities for change, growth, or aspirations. Realizing I needed to take a year off from my education was not one of my happiest moments. I found myself feeling like I would be unable to keep up with the lives of my friends or be done with school in time to start my "real life"--whatever that means. It took its toll on me emotionally to make that decision. I knew it would be best for me financially, but what I didn't know was how empty my life would start to feel.
After a few weeks of being out of school, I began to find myself in this never ceasing state of boredom and after awhile you really start to get depressed. How I hated being busy when I was, but then how I missed being busy when I wasn't! It took me awhile before I realized something very important in this life. TIME IS A GIFT.
I woke up one morning and decided that today was the day that I was no longer going to sit around moping and wishing I had something to do--I was just going to go out and do something! The first thing I decided to do was learn to play guitar. I had always wanted to learn to play, I just never had the time. I am a singer/songwriter of sorts and have constantly relied on other people to write music to my songs. Now *I* wanted to be the one to write the music to my songs...so, I made a spur of the moment decision to go to guitar center and drop $300 on a guitar so that I could "feel" my investment in learning it. I took advantage of all my time spent doing useless things to learn how to play the guitar...and after a few months of playing, I'm not half bad!
The next thing I decided to do was take up painting. I had taken a drawing class a few summers back and really enjoyed it. There was something relaxing about capturing the beauty in people and in objects and I found it to be something that really spoke to my soul. I had always thought about taking up painting, but had never really had the time--once again. So, I decided to just go to the store and pick up some paint supplies and get to it! I've already painted my first few rough paintings and I am really enjoying it. I feel like a part of ME can be captured through music and art and that's something that has been really rewarding.
Something else on my list of things to do is take some horseback riding lessons. I absolutely love horses and there is nothing like the feeling of wind rushing through your hair as you cantor through winding trails. Every year since I was very young I have gone horseback riding at the Feast of Tabernacles, but I had never had the time to actually take lessons. It's just one more thing that I can take advantage of with this time that I have while I am young and full of energy.
Most important on my list of things to do with my time, is study the Bible. A few weeks ago, my mom and a close family friend decided that we were going to partner up in reading through the entire Bible in a year (and a couple days). Every day I have a reading that is assigned and then we all get together through email and discuss what we have learned from that reading selection. It's something that has definitely helped me keep my focus on God and I've also been spending time probing the Bible in search of realistic applications for what it talks about and also researching it to find the truth in it. There could not be a more practical application of seizing the moment like finding your purpose and solidifying your beliefs. Connecting with God and with others on this level has encouraged me and also inspired my creative approach to life. In everything I do, God has been in mind. He is the artist. I am just the paintbrush in his hand.
Most important on my list of things to do with my time, is study the Bible. A few weeks ago, my mom and a close family friend decided that we were going to partner up in reading through the entire Bible in a year (and a couple days). Every day I have a reading that is assigned and then we all get together through email and discuss what we have learned from that reading selection. It's something that has definitely helped me keep my focus on God and I've also been spending time probing the Bible in search of realistic applications for what it talks about and also researching it to find the truth in it. There could not be a more practical application of seizing the moment like finding your purpose and solidifying your beliefs. Connecting with God and with others on this level has encouraged me and also inspired my creative approach to life. In everything I do, God has been in mind. He is the artist. I am just the paintbrush in his hand.
Finding the positive side of taking time off school has really opened up my mind to this massive world of possibilities. I have never felt more connected to myself and I am finally doing the things I have always said I wanted to do. It's liberating and fulfilling and certainly keeps me busy in the best way possible.
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