Have you ever noticed how we are always so intentional about capturing the “first” moments in our lives? For example, my nephew Grayden recently had his first birthday, followed by his first haircut. We celebrate those moments and recorded them for documentation. We have other “first” that we keepsake as well. What about the first tooth? The first day of school? The first sleepover? The first boyfriend? The first day we got behind the wheel of a car? The first kiss? The first day on the job? All these moments are times when we are intentional about capturing and remembering. But, how often do we record the last time of something happening? Maybe we do not have a scrapbook full of the “last” because we merely do not even recognize when they are happening.
Ironically on the first, I did happen to notice one of my “last”. I am a resident assistant (RA) at JSU. As I was moving in August 1, it hit me that this was the very last time I would ever move into a dorm room. It was definitely a bitter sweet moment that spun some of the interesting questions listed above. It got me thinking about how many moments I simply take for granted or neglect to savor and cherish. I got a little convicted because I started thinking about how many opportunities I have passed up or people I failed to reach out to because I was not aware that it was a “last:. I used the excuse, “oh, I will get to it later” or “I don’t feel like it now” or “I will talk to them next time.” Excuse after excuse, time after time…. until it is the “last” time and by then, it has come and gone.
So, while I was unpacking and settling into my room, I decided to challenge myself. To beware of the “first” moments but also the “last” moments. This fall semester will have a lot of “last” moments in it and I need to do a better job of being more sensitive to them. I graduate this December. This will be my last time being able to spend time with some of my closest friends, going to those familiar class rooms, talking with residents, attending football games and soaking up all that JSU is to me. It hit home. Its not only me leaving my college town I’ve known for years, but, the added twist is that its me leaving everything I am familiar with: Justin, family, friends, air conditioning, diet dr pepper, everything- for a whole year while on the race. It is a huge transition. Its bittersweet. I’m excited and a little sad all at the same time.
Another personal challenge is to take more pictures. Sure, I am a photo major but I want to take more snapshots and friend pictures. I really want to document these last five months of my time in the states. Pictures are my visual memories and stories and I want to take them all with me next year!
Some other challenges that I want to work on are the goals I set out for myself my freshmen year of college. Its time to quit procrastinating and start accomplishing. Goals to do before I graduate college include: read all the books of the Bible, walk the entire length of mountain street, start a bible study/small group, run a 5k, lose 35 pounds and lead a stranger to Christ. For me, I have five months left to really make it count. I do not want to look back and realize missed opportunities or true “lasts”.
Do you have memories of the “firsts”? Do you recognize the “lasts’? What are some goals you want to set before 2011 is up? My prayer is that we both become more aware and that we live (and savor) with urgency and without regret.
Carpe diem,
Amy AM Colley
Ps. Another goal that I have is to use my blog as one of my personal accountability partners. I want to post those snapshots I challenge myself to take, keep you updated on which book of the Bible I am on, tell you about the members and prayer requests of the bible study, keep a track of my progress on 5k and mountain street, and have praise for one more soul into the kingdom! Please, hold me accountable. If you see that I am not mentioning these things in my blog, ask me! This semester is full of work, class, and a million things to do-sometimes, I get side tracked. But, like I said, these are things I want to accomplish within these five months! Help me reach my goals. PRAY! Be there for me. Help me with priorities. And, I will do the same for you. Just let me know what you need or how I can be there for you. Again, do not neglect the “firsts” or the “lasts” in our lives.
Thank you! God Bless.
