Be Proud.

I know I've shared with you a lot about my struggles with school over the past year... or two.

I went through times where I was so easily discouraged, and felt like I would never get where I wanted to go. And not to say those days aren't over... but I've had an overwhelming feeling of peace the past few weeks.

I stressed and stressed... and STRESSED over hearing back from pharmacy school after my interview. I checked our mailbox every hour, and let it consume my thoughts.

When the news finally came, I found out I've been put on the alternate list. They don't tell you where you fall on the alternate list, and they only evaluate it as they have an opening. So in a nut shell, I'll be reapplying next year. At first I was heartbroken, but I know there are improvements I need to make on my application. I started thinking if I had gotten in this year it would have just been TOO easy. It's a bit of a blessing that I have another year to really prepare myself before investing four more years into intense studies. I mean, I thought O-Chem was intense... but I know Pharmacy school is going to be a whole other level. So in the meantime, I'm making preparations for next year's round of applications. 

But for the MAIN message of this post.

I've come to love this quote by Leo Buscaglia:

There is so much truth to it. 

I can't tell you how much a kind word from someone can turn my day around, and lately kind words have been much needed. 

My family has been so encouraging to me, particularly in the last few years of college. I tend to bottle up a lot of my emotions, and then they build up until I just spill out into an emotional wreck. Mama tends to be the lucky one to deal with it... and she's given me some of the most encouraging words out there. 

"I'm so proud of you."

Just that simple sentence alone brought me so much reassurance. 

For so long I've worked for myself, and to have someone recognize it and tell me they're PROUD of me really brought it home. It made me really sit back and realize how much I have accomplished over the past few years.

 In my small group last night, our leader spoke to each of us about how much we've grown over the past year. She expressed how PROUD she is of all of us for the transformation she's been able to witness, and the young ladies we've become and are continuing to become. 

There's the word again, proud. 

It just gives me such an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment that someone recognizes my actions enough to acknowledge them and be PROUD of them. Kind of cheesy.. but until someone tells you they are proud of you it's easy to just overlook how far you've really come. 

I've accomplished a lot, and I've really grown as a person over the past few years. I've matured SO so much, and blogging has really given me the ability to witness it. I love that I've been able to document everything over the past few years, and look forward to continuing to do it. 

I want to challenge you to look at your accomplishments and be PROUD of them.
Don't let your hard work go unnoticed, because I guarantee someone out there has noticed it... even if they haven't told you. And not only that, but extend the compliment to someone. Tell someone you admire their hard work, let them know it hasn't gone unnoticed by you.

Never underestimate the power of a simple compliment.

Source: google.com via Leslie on Pinterest

And if you've made it this far... I'm proud of YOU! ;)

Thanks for reading my long rants. 

:)