Just Because.

A reflection, a renewal

What is the most important aspect of your life? What is it that you value most?

This is a topic that my MIS professor touched on during his ‘end-of-semester’ lecture and one that has been on my mind lately, especially this semester. More so than others, I really stretched myself thin this semester and definitely felt the strain from the various activities and commitments. Sometime during November I recall asking myself: is all this worth it? Why am I doing all these things that I do? Which is the most important part? I had no answer. Common answers include (not in any special order):

• family
• friends/social life/strong relationships
• intellectual stimulation/education/interesting work
• wealth/income/financial status
• religion/spirituality
• status/ambition/recognition
• work-life balance
• health
• happiness
• etc..

While I realize that there is no right answer and definitely not any clear black/white boundaries, the issue is to map out a general pyramid of priorities, then make decisions based on those priorities. My goal/resolution for this upcoming year is to step back before all major decisions and think, why am I doing this? What is it that I will learn from this experience? Is this decision leading me closer or farther away from the future that I see myself in? 

Looking back on this semester, even though it was definitely not a breeze and there were many hurdles along the way, I don’t regret it. The experience has made me stronger, tested my limits, and most defiantly revealed what I do not want my life to become in 10 years. Thank you to every single person in my life for helping me shape out who I am and figure out who I want to be. 

Cheers to the forthcoming of a new year in the horizon: a year to begin anew, re-establish traditions, or move on to better (or worse) things! 

Take a step back