Taking Stock Part One: My Life’s Been A Country Song

“I’ve read a few books, wrote a few songs, looked at my life – where it’s going, where it’s gone.” – Kenny Chesney

My December resolution was to do no work after finishing exams, and – hard as it was – I did pretty well! All of the relaxing allowed quite a bit of time for reflection on my crazy life.

And I’m serious when I say “crazy.”

I’ve done a lot in 20 years, so the following is me taking stock of where I’ve been so that I can decide where to go from here. Because so much of this is priceless, hilarious, and sometimes ridiculous, I thought I would share it.

“I might be a little bit loco, but it keeps me from losing my mind! Hey, half insane, that’s ok, a little bit crazy’s all right.” – David Lee Murphy

I broke my finger playing football with teenagers I couldn’t understand and painted faces red, white and blue for eight hours straight on the Fourth of July in Ukraine. I coached an Armenian waiter at a Greek restaurant in St. Petersburg, Russia on how to make southern-style sweet tea. I overcame my fear of heights and jumped down all 27 waterfalls of the Rio Damajagua in the Dominican Republic.

“If I had a dime for half the things I did that didn’t make no sense at all, I’d be living a little higher on the wall.” – Jake Owen

I lost focus too many times to count. I chased myself instead of what was best for my friends, my organization, my school and my family. I made my parents cry. I dug holes too deep to get out of by myself.

“Somebody’s gonna drop everything, run out and crank up their car, hit the gas, get there fast, never stop to think, ‘What’s in it for me?’ or ‘That’s way too far.’ They just show on up with a big ol’ heart.” – Tracy Lawrence

I found no one can get by without friends. I discovered the value of my parents. These are the people who have called me “stupid,” then helped me pick up the pieces. 

“I’ve got lightning in my veins and thunder in my chest.” – Gary Allan

I volunteered at homeless shelters in six states. I threw pool parties and cookie-decorating extravaganzas for middle school girls. I pushed limits to revive lagging high school and university organizations and to compel my peers to make a difference.

That’s what I want to do, that’s what drives me crazy. That’s the question that nags at me when I get up in the morning and when I lay down at night: “Am I making a difference?”

“I use what I’ve got, take what I get, give ’til I ain’t got nothing left, then I give it some more…” – Jason Aldean

I’m a planner, an organizer, a realist. I’m a dreamer, a “why not” asker, a pusher. My skills are kind of random: I speak Russian, run marathons, listen to everyone and write when I’m bored. The combination usually turns out pretty well!

I’m excited about what’s next. Year 2009 holds a lot of big moments.

Stay tuned, the next post will be about what’s on deck this year!