In this final column of the semester, I would like to return to where we began. In the first Croc Thoughts column of this school year, we explored the new school year as an opportunity to create new rhythms.
Now that we have reached the conclusion, it seems this is an appropriate time to stop and evaluate. How did we do? Did we succeed in the task of creating healthy rhythms of work and rest? Did we spend quality time with ourselves, our friends and our God?
For me, the answer is a resounding “no.”
I started the semester with big dreams of getting enough sleep, working only from 9–5, writing for the Echo, doing a radio show, being a PA and spending plenty of time by myself and with my wing and with my girlfriend and with my other friends and going home to see my family a few times and all the many wonderful things that are life-giving and exhausting at the same time.
Not so shockingly, I failed to achieve these ridiculous dreams.
But, at the end of this difficult semester, we have the opportunity to reflect and to move forward. What went wrong? How did we fall off the path?
Personally, I said “yes” to too many good things. I suspect that some of you can relate. Others of you may not have said “yes” enough times and feel like you wasted a semester. Others may have just said “yes” and “no” to the wrong things and were left longing to be doing something else. Hopefully many of you said “yes” and “no” at the right times and enjoyed your semester and hope to duplicate the feat next semester.
Once we are able to detect the source of our error, we can learn from our mistakes and move into next semester or life outside of Taylor with a new direction. Regardless of how this semester went, I encourage all of us to spend time reflecting back and using that to look forward. What do you want to change or keep the same in the next stage of life?
I pray this upcoming period of ending, transition and new beginning will be one which allows for reflection which helps us to move along the road of conforming to the image of Christ.
Thank you for taking the time to read this column this semester. I genuinely hope that you are able to look back on your semester with gratitude, and I hope this column was a small source of joy and growth.
