I bid "Focused 2007" adieu a few hours ago. I believe it was my "growing up" year. Don't get me wrong, I know that every year is a learning experience for me. It's just that I believe I've transformed into a more mature and socially aware young adult this year. I guess I achieved being focused with my life for the year that was. Congrats to myself! haha.
But being too focused isn't healthy either. I believe that there were times I tried so hard to remain focused on my personal goals thus ignoring other things and people that are equally, and may sometimes be more, important.
Browsing through my planner, I realized how too much FOCUSED and more of PREOCCUPIED I've been. I was able to achieve more accomplishments but had to sacrifice relationships (specially relationship to SELF! oh yes, there is such thing!).
I realized how determined I was to make a high grade and totally forgot the immeasureable learning experience. How eager I was to execute my roles and responsibilities as chapter head that I forget for WHOM all the hard work is for.How I prioritized serving in my ministries than strengthening my relationship with HIM. How much I wanted to make my family proud by accomplishing all my goals but failing to make time for them. And it goes on...
It felt like I was FLOATING. I made it through and achieved it all without actually being there! Thus, the feeling that something was missing.
I was browsing through my friends' personal sites a few days ago and realized how distant I've been to some of them. I regret not making to the special occasions in their lives even if they asked me to be there. I realized how some of my treasured friendships lost over distance because I was too focused on other things I deemed more important. I was TOO FOCUSED with my PRESENT that I forgot about my precious PAST. As they say, you WIN some, you LOSE some.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the way things turned out in 2007. Yeah, mishaps were here and there but that's inevitable. It's just that, I'm seeing a new way of how to make things even BETTER. Of how to LIVE a FULLER LIFE!
So this year, I want to be PRESENT in lives of the people I love. I want to be PRESENT in the communities I'm part of. I want to feel my PRESENCE in my LIFE.
STAND OUT! LOUD and PROUD!