What's my age, again?

Have you ever heard the song by blink-182 called, "What's my age again?" If not, give it a listen. Nonetheless, there is one specific line mentioned in every stanza that describes my life right now.

Nobody likes you when you are 23.

This is the time of year for proms, FFA banquets/conventions and graduations. Reflecting on all of those past experiences, I'm beginning to feel old. Perhaps I am using the wrong noun. I don't feel old; I feel out of touch. I feel lost from it all.

First state convention (I think?) and I look so young!

Has it really been two years since I graduated from college, six years since high school senior prom, and eight years since I attended my first State FFA Convention? Where has the time gone?

I had a skinny arm before that was a thing... thank goodness that has changed!

Sometimes, I question my age. In my role, I have a lot of responsibilities. My life is evolving from different things I thought I knew in high school and college to what I know now as an adult in the working world. Nonetheless, I ask myself often, "what's my age, again?"

My cousin Sara and I at prom.

Do we ever really know the meaning behind an age? What is the real measure of time? I don't know but if I ever figure it out, I'll be sure to share. How do you make the most of your age, measure time and see the future?

Thankful 30 - Day 18, inspiring peers

Do you have someone at your workplace who you can talk with about goals, learn different perspectives, push you past your limits and is all around a fun, inspiring peer?

I'm thankful for one of my inspiring peers. Logan and I completed the developmental sales representative training program at Syngenta together. The first time I met him, I was intimidated. He played college football and is simply "a big dude". But, after talking with him in the first few meetings of our training, we became good friends and coworkers.

Who will you become?

It is remarkable to think that it is already halfway through my fall semester of senior year. Time sure goes by quickly when you are having fun! As I begin interviewing and concluding many activities through this semester and school year, there is one underlying question that I ask myself.

Who am I becoming?

Change is a natural occurrence experienced by all. From interests, style, personality and future ambitions, people change. It can be subtle or significant. But, not all change is self-driven. Some is influenced. Much of that influence is from the people you spend your time with.

I have learned through different experiences that you become more like the people you spend most time around. That is why to cultivate the most personal growth, you should surround yourself around others smarter, more humble, more ambitious and more successful than yourself. They can teach you things, and you can learn.

Being a leader is not just learning, but also sharing and teaching your knowledge. Therefore, you should not just surround yourself with others greater than you, but others who you can help develop. This weekend, I was surrounded by many great people.

On Saturday, Psi chapter of Alpha Xi Delta held our Dad's Weekend event. Our dad's joined us for dinner and to watch the OSV vs. Northwestern football game! It was quite enjoyable, even though the venue was almost too small for all of us. My dad came down for the evening after working cattle all afternoon. Sometimes, I don't appreciate his expertise and passion as much as I should. But when I spend more time talking with him about it, I see where I got my interests from. It was also fun for him and the other dads to mingle and the sisters to be sincerely excited at the gathering.