The last month has passed in a tumult of essays and exams and reviewing tedious grammar rules as I wrapped up the third quarter of junior year and prepped for the ACT. Information was thrown at me so quickly, and my brain was on overdrive, never having dealt with so much in so short a time frame. Needless to say, it was hectic, but some good did come of it.
There’s only so much one can balance at one time. I realized that it was impossible for me to do it all; some habits needed to change while others needed to be cut out altogether. I took a good, hard look at my life, how I spent my time, the thoughts that ran through my head, the conversations I had with others, and quickly noticed where much of the negativity, heartache, and overall dissatisfaction with my life stemmed from.
I wouldn’t say the things I did were “bad”. For me, the battle has never been between good and bad. For me, the battle lies between things that are good and things that are better.
I changed and cut out certain exercises in my daily regimen, and the impact it had on my life was amazing to see. My grades went up and my anxiety went down, and I was able to recenter my life and focus on what is most important.
One of my favorite quotes (and personal life mantra) is this one from John D. Rockefeller:
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
So many of the things we do in this life are “good”, but we always seem to neglect or ignore the “great” that we could be doing instead. Perhaps it’s because we cling so much to the good and we don’t want to let go of it. Or maybe it’s because going for the “great” things scare us. What we need is the courage to let go of the good and run after the great.
I realized that many of the habits I had adopted into my life were ‘good’, there were other things that were ‘great’. Recognizing these things and fixing them changed the way I looked at my life and made me genuinely happier.
I’m not saying be reckless, but if you’re hanging on to a ‘good’ relationship or a ‘good’ job just because you don’t think something greater will come along, drop it and go find the great.
It’s out there.
And it might not be today, or tomorrow, or even next week, but eventually, SOMETHING GREAT WILL COME.
One last parting thought from D&C 25:10 :
“And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.”
P.S- Reading my blog is good, but reading your scriptures is great. ;)
This reminder is currently hanging above my desk where I can see it every day.