GLORY DAYS

glo·ry

[glawr-ee, glohr-ee] noun, plural -ries, adjective, verb -ried, - ry ing, interjection

1. A state of absolute happiness, gratification, contentment

2. Something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration

3. A state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity

Tonight while I was rummaging through some boxes (that I have neglected to unpack from a move I made seven weeks ago) I came across my portfolio from college. It contained pretty much everything I had ever written and published in my college days. There were some really boring pieces I wrote for the "Clarion County Today" section of the The Clarion News; and I got a good chuckle from some of the editorials I wrote for The Clarion Call. It was fun to reminisce about what I was going through as a 20,21 year old full time college student.

I flipped to the back of the portfolio where some of my recognitions are housed. There was a letter of recomendation from the chair of the Communication department at Clarion (not too shabby), the program from my Soceity for Collegiate Journalists initiation junior year and the program listing me as the treasurer from my senior year. The portfolio also contained my program from the Outstanding Student Recognition Reception from the Communication department at Clarion University in 2006. I got the special invitiation because as a graduationg senior I had finished in the top ten percent of my class (My Clarion Call friends and I jokingly called it "the smart people party.").

It made me realize that those were my GLORY DAYS. I accomplished more personal goals in those four years (2002-2006) than I have in the rest of my entire lifetime.

As it was great to look back on my accomplishements and in turn remember all the fun times of that portion of my life, it also made me extremely sad. I had such a zest for life in those "glory days." I was smart, well educated, hard working, confident and ready to take on the world!

This summer I turned 27, and I have no idea where that person has gone. I had these great dreams of being an outstanding journalist (or at least being the best one I could be). I don't understand how at nearly 30 years old I can feel so lost about the direction of my life.

Here are the facts:

1. After college I took a job that paid half decent and have been stuck in that rut for the last five years.

2. I got married shortly after college - at the age of 23.

3. I recently left my home state of Pennsylvania, my friends, my family and two jobs to follow my husband to Michigan.

4. "Real life" seems to always get in the way - the responsibilities of being a wife and a full fledged adult, bills to pay, a pet to take care of...

This isn't meant to be a pitty party, but what happened to ME? How and where did I get off course? I guess, more importantly (trying to stay positive and look to the future), how do I get back on track to move foward? I feel like I've let myself down and let my mind become complacent. It's been about getting through life, not enjoying it.

How do I get to be ME again? Obviously we aren't always going to be the same person. Life expriences change us. At 37, I won't be the same person I was at 27. At 47, I won't be the same person I was at 37, etc... But, I want to get out of this mind haze that I've been in and find a passion again.

Maybe its growing pains, maybe its my own laziness. This move from PA to MI should be a new start for me. One chapter closed and to be reflected upon fondly and a new one just beginning.

Although I loved college and have awesome memories, I don't want to look back as I get even older (say at the age of 57) and still think those were my glory days. I want every day to be a glory day! So, here's my challenge to myself (and any other brave soul willing to take it on):

At the end of each day answer these three questions:

1. Today a PERSONAL goal I accomplished was _________.

2. Today I bettered myself by __________.

3. I feel today was a glory day because ________.

Who know's what tomorrow will bring when you take it day by day. I've never been one to take life day by day. I've always had grand plans for myself, and maybe thats why I'm so hard on me about the last five years. Maybe that's the ticket... taking one day at time to figure out what track I'm even suppose to be on... and take it day by day so each day can be a glory day...

 

 

 

glo·ry

[glawr-ee, glohr-ee] noun, plural -ries, adjective, verb -ried, - ry ing, interjection

1. adoring praise or worship; Give glory to God