The past week began like most usually do…fast-paced and hectic. I’ve become very accustomed to this pace in my life and would probably not know quite what to do with myself if I had absolutely nothing to do. Actually, I take that back. I can think of MANY things that I would like to do if I weren’t a very busy person. Yet, that’s why it’s so rewarding when I do finally get to stop, take a break, and do something I really enjoy. If I constantly had spare time on my hands, I doubt I would relish hanging out with my friends, walking in the park, or even watching a great movie as deeply as I do now.

At the beginning of the week, my primary focus was to continue to get myself organized from last week. Like I mentioned in my last journal, it definitely takes a while for me to get my life molded into a completely new routine. I was doing a pretty thorough job of completing this week’s assignments, marking dates, reading chapters, highlighting, and managing my time effectively until Thursday evening around 6 o’clock. It was at this time that I was involved in my first big car accident. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been in my share of minor “fender benders” in the past, but none of the previous compared to this. I was making a left turn onto 20th street and had looked both ways and saw nothing coming. Then it seemed like out of nowhere, a woman came speeding through and slammed into the driver’s side of my car. It spun me around in the road three or four times and I ended up in a parking lot across the street. I’m pretty sure both cars were totaled, but luckily, neither driver was seriously injured. I hit my head on the glass pretty hard and messed up my knee a little and the other woman hurt her neck. The police didn’t issue any citations which was another blessing. Usually, I am a little high strung in difficult situations, but for some reason I have remained remarkably calm about this whole ordeal. I had Emily J. (my roommate/best friend) pick me up from the wreck and I think she was more upset than I was. That evening, I came home, called each of my parents (both were very understanding), then went straight to my computer and began doing some homework. It was a little hard to focus all of my energy on my assignments when really all I wanted to do was cry and feel sorry for myself. Yet, there are times when I feel that doing work is a great escape from other problems in life. Having so many “things” to do this week/weekend helped me not to dwell on this accident. Of course, I think about it frequently, but I keep telling myself that I can’t let anything get me off track this early in the year (or at any point in the year, for that matter). Honestly, I never thought that the movie, Joe Dirt, would ever become functional in my life (it’s one of my favorite comedies, by the way) but this week, I was proven incorrect. In the movie, Joe says, “You gotta keep on keepin’ on.” and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Changes in my thinking…ahh…quite a few this week. First of all, I have been reminded again how incredibly wonderful my friends are. Whether an issue be related to school, work, family, relationships, cars (ugh!), or anything in between, my friends are always there to encourage, support, and love me. I feel blessed to have these people in my life and hope I can repay them with the same kindness they have shown me over the years. They also make me realize how important laughter is in my life. Even the worst situations don’t seem nearly as dark once a little humor is added to the context. Next, I have gained a whole new perspective on leading a busy life. At one point in time, I most definitely would have complained about all the assignments, reading, and writing that I had to complete. Now, however, I feel lucky to have these “things” to do because they motivate me and keep my life flowing in a steady direction. I know there are many people who can’t afford a college education and people whose illnesses and health complications prevent them from living an active, busy lifestyle. Certainly, many times I’ve been envious of people with seemingly nothing on their hands but free time. Yet, now I recognize there are probably many people who are envious of me for being afforded to opportunity to have so many things to keep my body busy and my mind alert. Wow…I (and all busy people) really have a great deal to be thankful for in life!

As many of you know, or will shortly discover, I love quotes. They’re short, to the point, and can really convey some powerful messages. I’m thinking of making it kind of an “online journal tradition” of mine to add one or two quotes that relate to the content of my writing that particular week. So, as I’m signing off I’ll leave these for everyone…

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” --Anais Nin

“Do your work, and you shall reinforce yourself.”
--Ralph Waldo Emerson