One Year Ago

One year ago this moment I was flying over the Pacific Ocean from Taipei, Taiwan to Los Angeles, USA.

I'm no longer a fresh RM. I am back. I loved my mission and it meant so much to me. I love the people of Taiwan, my fellow missionaries, my mission President, and the experiences I had while I was there.

This day in many ways is more meaningful than New Years to me, because for the first time in my life I can distinctly remember exactly where I was, who I was, and what I had done one year previously from this point. New Years Days all kind of just fuzz together. The mission was such a distinct chapter of my life, and it so distinctly seperates my life before my mission and my life now. So it really gives me a day to sit back and analyze my life.

I've gone places that I hadn't planned on (New Hampshire, Minnesota, Canada, Alaska) and done things I didn't know I would (Murder Mystery, Into the Woods, EFY, major in film, buy two of my own cars, work as a technician). But could I have done more? My attitude towards a lot of things is, "How much can I fit into every single day/month/year so that I can look back one day and have nothing left undone". The anniversary of my return is exciting and rewarding realizing what I've done, but it's a kick on the butt as well. I could do more.

So now I pledge to myself that this next year is going to be even better. I'm not going to waste a second. There are things I told myself I would have done by now (learn the stock market, start a business, go to Europe) that mock me from the pages of my mission journal. I'll get them this time around. I will! I could have better spiritual progression as well. I could help more people. I need to better use my mission as a springboard to get higher and better and to be a better influence to those around me.

I'm grateful for this day, May 26th, and the implications it holds for my life. May we all do what we want/need/dream to do THIS day and THIS year and live with zero regrets.