Something that got me thinking

This last weekend was spent helping a good friend for her wedding. Was it a relaxing weekend? Not by a long shot. But it was rewarding to help her start a new chapter in her life and celebrate a happy occasion. Seeing how many people came to celebrate a new life, a love united was a beautiful sight to both see and be a part of.

During the reception, there were the usual toasts that are made to the new couple. And these toasts including how happy the guests were for my friend and her new husband, how perfect they were for each other, how well the compliment each other's strengths and weaknesses, etc. And throughout the night, a few lines of a song I really like kept going over and over in my mind and it went like this:

It happens in a blink, it happens in a flash

It happens in the time it took to look back

I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time

What is it I've done with my life?

It happens in a blink (x4)

Slow down

Slow down

Before today becomes yesterday

Our yesterday

-Blink by Revive-

And it made me think, how much of what we do really matters? What kind of impact do we leave on the world on a daily basis? What will be said of us at our funerals?

We all leave some kind of impact. The question is this: Is my life being used to give life, hope, and meaning to those around me? Or is it being used for my own selfish gains, to make me feel better?

How does this relate to my BB test?
It's kind of like what KJN Tom said while he was up here. This test is not about me. It's about how my test affects those around me. Whose lives are improved by my doing this?

It's not unknown that we live in a world where people want instant results with as little work done as possible. And the more I talk to people about this test, the more I realize (at the risk of sounding arrogant) how the determination and discipline cultivated through testing has been challenging and inspiring to people around me.

At first, yes, this test was all about me and my goals. But the closer I get to the end of this goal, the more I see how people have been cheering me on, wanting me to succeed. My success won't be just my own. Should I stop now (no, I'm NOT going to stop now, I'm just speaking hypothetically), the people who have been watching me this whole time will be disappointed. But more than that, they will be discouraged.

So few people in this world set a goal, and even fewer actually reach that goal. If I stop now, I'll just give those around me another reason to quit, to stop, to give up when they're 'tired', 'alone', 'confronted with obstacles', etc. But when I reach my goal, I can show those around me that no matter 'how hard', 'how long', 'how exhausting' the journey is, reaching our goals ARE possible.

Being 'tired, alone, too hard, too long' etc are just excuses. They're justifications to do the easy thing and cop out. And as we all know, nothing worthwhile comes easy. Everything good comes with hard work, determination, and support.

And honestly, this test has had a domino effect, or ripple effect, if you will. I now realize that if I can do this, then I can do whatever I choose to do. So, that being the case, I have decided to go back to school to finish my degree. Once that is gained, then I can use my degree as a tool to open doors to help others.

It's amazing how one act can change a perspective for the better.