In the Beginning

So I have finals and papers galore over the next two weeks but I decided instead that I should procrastinate and try this blog writing thing. I'm not a complete novice at blogging....I have done a few on MySpace in the past few years but those were mostly just moody grumblings (i.e. woe is me). lol.

In this blog, which I learned to put together with the help of Mr. Wiita in Bailey, I hope to chronicle my learning and personal growth.....especially over this next year, my last one as an undergrad (*tear*).

I'm going to give a major shout out to Bailey now. lol. And not just because it's kind of my job. I have been reflecting A LOT lately as the semester draws to a close. I think about where I was in December. I thought that I had grown a lot in my LONG collegiate career. I thought that I had reached a high level of maturity and could take on any responsibility that came my way.

In ways, I was right but I was also wrong. And I was ignorant to think that I had grown all that was possible in college. Over the past three months, I have come to many realizations. Among these:

• Trust emergence. This one took a long time. I have always hated and resisted change AND those that brought it on. This was wrong. We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are. Someone wise said that. Can't remember who, tho.
• Trust myself. I need to quiet the self-doubts and lack of confidence that has always seemed to plague me. I'm worth it. Jeez...how cheesy and Dr. Phil of me. lol.
• Trust God. I try not to be overly religious...I think Dale Elshoff said it best: "God reveals the truth, the devil organizes it and calls it religion." But God is there for me. He loves me no matter what. (And He loves EVERYONE...black, white, gay, straight, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, rich, poor.) I loved learning this. I just wish it hadn't taken so long.

And there are many more lessons. But I should probably leave those to a later blog and start paying attention to the homework awaiting me.

Oh, and I should probably point out something, first....I'm not all that exciting of a person. I'm an average guy who is just trying to do his best. So if you're reading this in hope of great jollies or a plethora of my good-ole-fashioned non-appropriate jokes; sorry, you won't find it here. This blog, I'm thinking, will be mostly for me. But if you find some amusement along the way, yay!

Peace and love,

Dustin