I'm such a "YES" girl as my mom calls it. Because I'm so eager and willing to help anyone and everyone, I often over-commit and stretch myself too far. Especially in this season of my life, I'm constantly being pulled in a million directions- whether it be school, work, sorority, social life, or leadership positions, I'm constantly on the run.

Because I'm constantly running around, doing a hundred things at once and thinking a mile a minute, I rarely have time to just sit still and be in the moment.

And that's not okay.

I often feel as if I'm not making a difference. Because I'm not intentional with my words and actions, I get caught up in the wind of what I'm doing and forget to just be present. I recently had a (awesome, amazing, wonderful) friend point this out to me.

"Ciera, the reason you're feeling so burnt out is because you're constantly so busy and running around that you don't have time to slow down and reap the benefits of your hard work."

Talk about a breakthrough.

I know that my story is so similar to so many other college students- and teens and adults for that matter. It's so easy for us to get swept up in our day-to-day lives that we truly don't get to sit back, relax, and enjoy the results of the hard work we do. Being present is such a hard thing to do when you have a million other things that have to be done, like, yesterday, but when you're intentional with your thoughts, actions, and words, you can begin to reap the benefits of your work.

So today, take some time for you. Maybe just take fifteen minutes in the morning to write out your affirmations and goals or even take five minutes at night to reflect on the things you did well that day. Relish in the space between "no longer" and "not yet" and be present right here, right now.