Every little thing is gonna be all right...

I never really understood the draw of Bob Marley's music until I spent a few days in the Bahamas.  I think most people would agree that sometimes the fast-paced, never-a-dull-moment lifestyle can be overwhelming.  I may not have a full-time job and a family to take care of, but I think the fact that I'm already feeling this way as a college student says a lot.  

Last week, I had the opportunity to reciprocate my hectic semester and holiday season with a cruise to the Bahamas.  If I could do one thing to demonstrate the pace and mood of the vacation, I would make you dance to the slow and steady beat of a Bob Marley song.  The relaxation I experienced on this trip could not have come at a better time.  As a soon-to-be college graduate who has no idea what she wants to do with her life, I welcomed this much-needed break.  Even so, just a few minutes after sitting down in the airport to come home, I already found myself making lists in my head (and on paper) of all of the things I needed to do. 

Before winter break began, I declared it to be a one-month journey into my future.  In other words, I decided that every free moment would be spent searching and applying for jobs.  As we all know, there are many things in life that we say we are going to do that, for one reason or another, never get done.  That being said, sometimes the reasons for not getting things done can outweigh the fact that your original plan didn't work out.  Between spending quality time with my friends and family, having an amazing vacation, and being able to simply be, I cannot write this winter break off as a failure.  

And even amid doing seemingly anything but what I said I was going to do, I still managed to save some half-completed applications and discover some potential job-search sites.  Most importantly, though, I (re)discovered a few things about myself and life itself... I only hope that my realizing these things helps in my pursuit of what's next in my life.

In no particular order...

1. Family is very important to me.

2. I need to find a way to feel the relaxation I felt in the Bahamas in my everyday life.

3. I need to keep my good friends close. They are my sanity.

4. Love comes in all shapes and sizes.

5. The people in your life are there for a reason.  (And the people no longer in your life are no longer in your life for a reason).

6. It's OK to say no.

And last, but certainly not least...

7. Every little thing is gonna be all right.