Happy Thanksgiving - Remembering What I Have, Instead of What I Don't

I woke up Thanksgiving Day in a fantastic mood. I was really well-rested, “The Parent Trap” was on Disney, and I could finally blast the Christmas tunes! But more importantly, I woke up knowing that I have so much to be thankful for.

I have all of my basic needs—a roof over my head, more food than most in this world will ever see in a lifetime, and access to clean water.

I have all of my not-as-basic needs—higher education, access to healthcare, and full-time, salaried employment with a thriving company. Even here in the United States, with the recession and high unemployment rate, I am particularly blessed to have all of these things.

I am thankful for the security and freedom I take for granted every day, and for the people who sacrifice their personal comfort and security to provide that for me. I am grateful for a healthy body (which I don’t take care of like I should lol), and I am lucky to be basically debt-free at 24.

Not to mention, I have all the material things a girl could want—my own car (which I’m about to pay off!), plenty of fun clothes and shoes and make-up, my own apartment, a Mac laptop, and a Pinkberry Curve!

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel and see different places, whether it was moving around the country as a Marine brat, or winning fellowships to study and work in Oxford and London.

As dysfunctional as we are, I’m grateful to have family nearby, and I love them. I have awesome fun friends and a full social life, a boy I love and who loves me, and the absolute best cat in the world (the Crazy Cat Lady in me never will die…)

Finally, I thank the brave turkey who gave his life this week so I could eat him…

Despite all my whining and complaining, God has been good to me!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)

My Strategic Plan

This past Saturday, I volunteered as a mediator for Booz Allen’s Strategic Career Planning program for Marshall High School students. Minus the fact that I had to be up at 6 am on a Saturday morning to participate, it was a really fun and rewarding experience. I was impressed with the motivation and focus of the students. When I was in high school, I didn’t know what Booz Allen was, let alone what goes into planning a career in consulting or business (and I was a pretty motivated high-schooler!)

One girl determined to flaunt the tradition of her traditional roots by resisting arranged marriage so that she could pursue economic development in India from the ground up--without relying on NGOs. One boy learned the importance of being a role model in all he does after his baby sister was born, while another admitted that financial compensation is what motivates his hard work. Yet another girl confessed her preference to do things herself, as well as her tendency to quickly judge others, which fueled her desire to start her own company and become self-reliant. They were very self-aware, admitting their strengths, weaknesses, and personal challenges without inhibition, and were eager to hear my meager advice about career, family, college, and grad school.

The program also reminded me that you need a strategic plan at all ages! Even though life never goes according to plan (and I emphasized this in my session with them), it still helps to have one in place. These kids had a plan--down to when to start a family, where they wanted to travel, and what kind of degrees they wanted under their belts. They made me feel behind, even though I knew their priorities would change over time.

So, I’m going to write a strategic plan of my own—or maybe more of a to-do list. :) Life is short! And I'm a little tired of floating around and taking what comes my way.