Every Journey Comes To An End…Eventually
Nine years and one college degree later…
What Is Done?
My bachelor’s…finally. After years of hesitation, procrastination, and catching curve balls, I am finally done with my B.S. It took me long enough.
Why So Long?
Well, mainly it was my fault. I missed some great opportunities to take CLEP tests while deployed with the military and then, as the years went by, I just lost sight of my goals. I had a lot of major life events happen whilst attending college that affected me and required my attention.
What Events?
Well, here are some, but not all, of the events that occurred between 2001 (my year of high school graduation) to now…
- 9/11
- Military Deployments, here and abroad
- Getting and loosing several jobs
- Meeting and marrying the woman of my dreams
- Moving Out of State and away from family
- My father being diagnosed with Cancer and subsequently passing away
- Getting into and getting out of the career for which I was getting my degree for. (Criminal Justice)
Many other things occurred, but making an exhaustive list would simply not prove to be practical, you get the point.
Am I Supposed To Feel Sorry For You?
No, not at all. I made many mistakes that cost me precious time which I will never be able to regain. I was lazy, ignorant and short-sighted in many areas of my life. Luckily I had the love of friends, family, and my beautiful wife along with the tools and time to finally get this thing finished.
What Have You Learned?
I have learned that no matter what happens in life, we must have goals. It might take us a little longer than others to achieve those goals, but that doesn’t make you a failure. I have developed so much in the past nine years and I think it was because of all my mistakes.
I mean, think about it. Don’t you learn the most when things don’t go your way? When you are forced to adapt and overcome? When you aren’t sure what to do but you must make a decision? It was at these pivotal moments that I learned to lean on the ones I love the most; it was at these times I learned to trust God.
In Conclusion
I made many wrong moves these past nine years. I mean a whole lot; however, each and every time I made an error, my loved ones were right there to pick me up and encourage me to keep going.
I am not sure where you are at in life, but maybe you need someone to tell you to keep going. Get up, dust off, learn from your scars and never ever give up.
We were never meant to do life alone. For me, I would not be where I am today were it not for faith, family, friends, and a few false steps that are now merely funny stories to tell my future kids.
So to all those who have ever said a kind word to me, or wished good things for me, or loved me, or prayed for me, or lent me an ear, or gave me their shoulder to cry on during the tough times, I want to say…
