A Dandelion

I should be thrilled to have a short to do list for once, but its as if I try to fight my NEED to listen to God.  As I sit and stare off into space wondering where I am even supposed to begin on my thoughts, my eyes come across a dandelion and I remember a story from my professor in South Africa.  The image he shared with us was a simple reminder of how the dandelion, in a seed head state, has multiple tiny little seeds waiting to blow off in the wind.  When these tiny seeds fly off and spread they are releasing themselves to a world of possibilities for new growth.  As a seed on the head of a Meredith College dandelion I flew away in May and ended up here in DC.  Although i've landed here for now my mind seems to still be floating in the air, waiting to plant itself.
Dandelions spread far and are said to grow in more adverse circumstances than most of their competitors.  It takes time for a seed to bud into a flower, and you can't rush its growth.  The more you try to kill dandelions though, the more they will grow.  That is right of the Meredith women I know too.  We end up all over the world and wherever we end up, we are there to make an impact.  I think we all are really here to make an impact of some sort though aren't we?!
I'm excited to see the impact I can make, whether it's in the next week or in the next 5 years.  Let's start with a short term plan: 1)do what I can with what I have, where I am. What will keep me motivated?  Knowing if I can change the life of one person i've made a difference.  A spark is all it takes to set a fire, and have I mentioned...

 I AM BLESSED.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength." (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV)

Staying Motivated

After leaving the Millennials Civic Engagement Summit almost a month ago I couldn't stop my brain from moving.  The ideas flooded my mind for days, and unlike many conferences I attended growing up and through college, the ideas and motivation aren't going away.  This brings up both a sense of urgency and a sense of excitement.  As I discuss my hopes for the future, I attempt to create short and long term goals.  The uncertainty of the last 4 months, and of the next 60 years is thrilling and terrifying at the same time.  All the possibilities overwhelm me yet keep me excited.  I tried to condense some of the information I took away from the summit.  I created questions, ideas, and reminders for myself so that next steps could be made!

Questions

1. how can we engage those not at the conference?

2. what outlet is there for those "un heard"

3. how can students at MC take advantage of trainings, etc?
4. is there a new american dream? And what is it?

5. what are sustainable solutions for the problems millennials have identified?

• "create, don’t just curate" -Dr. Alexis Carreiro

• We (Millennials) are innovative and ready to get all we can from our work opportunities
• Stop. Collaborate. Listen. (This came from an entire conversation I had with one of my tables and I can't wait to see where it leads) 
• BE BRAVE. TAKE RISKS. ASSESS FAILURES.

Whats next?  Who knows...

I know that I am ready to make a change in the life of someone.  Who?  Maybe its children.  Where are those children?  Maybe they are in South Africa.  Maybe they are in DC.  How will I do it?  I'll start by being an ambassador for the work Pier1 (where I am now a Sales Leader) does for UNICEF every Christmas season and throughout the year.  

And in this time, where I search for meaning in what I am on this earth for I remember...

I may not be where I think I should be, but I am where God knows I SHOULD BE.

This universe is neither for or about me and I am here to be a SERVANT.  How am I supposed to believe I am where I am supposed to be or that there is a greater plan for my life if i'm ignoring God's call, and not talking to him.  

"In Him we live and move and have our being," (Acts 17:28NIV).