Today i found myself looking back upon the last six years. I can tell you exactly where i was and what i was doing six years ago, but there seems to be so much that has happened in between that a lot of it just seems to be a blur. Six years ago would have been the summer before i started high school. And things have changed so much since then. I have grown both physically and mentally. There is no way that i could ever have imagined how things would be today. There are so many friends that i have met since then that have changed my life. When i was thinking back to how things were 6 years ago it made me realize how rarely i look back and reflect on the past; that the only time that i actively look into the past is when i'm retelling a story and want to be sure that i'm saying the right things. But i realized how great it is to look back on how things have changed and developed both around you and within you. I've realized that first perceptions can be wrong, that people do change over time, and that some things will never change. I have also realized that we have so little control over the big picture. We may try to change how things happen, but when it's all said and done, what we do plays a small role in the world around us.
For those that don't know i AM an identical twin. My twin's name is Marc and he passed away from complications from Leukemia on July 3rd 2001. From his passing i have changed so much. He has made me a stronger individual in everything that i have done. And because of him, i am the way i am today.
Time has gone so quickly since he passed, it seems like just a short while ago that we were hanging out together playing with toys at our house. But even today i know that he watches over me and encourages me in everything that i do. It has provided me with a stronger relationship with God, i know that with God's strength and support that you can get through anything and take on tasks that you never thought possible. And that with the right attitude and determination that you can surpass your original limitations.
I guess the whole point of this was that i was looking back and i realized that so much has changed in the last six years. And it makes me wonder what things will be like 6 years from now. By that time i will be turning 26. I will be out of college, hopefully with someone i love and care about, and beginning the task of ascending the business ladder of success. But who knows, i may not even be around when that point comes. When i was thinking about how things have changed i came up with a list of what i believe are what i need to develop within my life to live fully.
1. Be confident
2. Be decisive
3. Let others make their own decisions
4. Encourage others
5. Give generously
6. Read
7. Do the best that you possibly can
8. Be positive, even in your losses
9. Be grateful in your successes
10. Give thanks
11. Enjoy the company of others
In no way is this a complete list, nor are they in any particular order. But i feel that if i can fully develop these skills that i will live a more enjoyable, successful life. Some are what i already try to do, others will take time to develop. The biggest thing for me is being grateful for what i have, and for those around me. Because you never know when it will be someone else's time to go. My final message: Be grateful for the people around you, and never take advantage of the simple moments of happiness that you are presented with.
