So just a quickie – because we all know they are great.  I don’t know when it started – the bad habits, fear, living irrationally.  However I am pledging to make this quarter more successful than the last.

25-125-9-5 & ‘Tine free.  Maybe I should play the lotto?  I’m so close yet so far – but never so far that I know I won’t get there.

Now for the meat and potatoes…

After a quick yet meaningful talk with an old friend not too long ago – I feel that things were not only put back into perspective, but that I got a the little push that I needed (some friendly motivation).  We spoke about our history, our favorite moments that will “bond” us for life, and the reasons that I truly love and admire him as a person.  It was interesting to talk about our favorite times because they were different for each of us.  My friend’s favorite moment really pointed out to me how important it is to reach out.  There have been many times in my life that I have thought about my friends and family but kept it to myself – how much I loved them and missed them.  If you’re thinking about someone, just tell them.  It seems so simple – so why sometimes is it SO hard?  And it may make a difference in someone’s life; you never know.  I know that there have been times that I really wished someone had reached out to me and hadn’t; and conversely people have surprised me with their kindness.  I wish to be the latter.

Be thoughtful.

Be kind.

Reach out.

As for my favorite moment – a bit more lighthearted, and from way back when we were crazy kids.  A true test of friendship, something that was embarrassing in the moment but that you move past and laugh at when you get older.  I love him for that.  I will also take it to the grave (this is because I actually do love you).

Finally, we talked about living without regrets.  I don’t want to look back at my life and say I never did “XXX” because I was too scared.  I told him that I was envious and so proud of him for his cross country move.  This is something that I always wanted to do (still want to do) – but continue to chicken out of.  How will I finance it?  I will need to find a job first.  How will I move my things?  I won’t know anyone… how will I manage?  There are a million reasons not to but a million a one that are pushing me forward.  I don’t want any regrets.

So, putting this new motivation into action, I have decided that I can no longer take certain parts of my life for granted.  I must push forward with full force.  And finally, once again – make this quarter the best of all… absolutely no regrets.

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”  Philippians 3:13-15 (ESV)