Sometimes I struggle with being content with where I am in life. This past week, I returned to school from Thanksgiving break, the words you are here echo in my head, a reminder. I didn't want to go back to school. I wanted to stay where I was: the place I felt I belonged. Eventually, I made my way back to school and back to reality. And I told myself you are here. I tried to be content with it. I thought, you are here and it's temporary—you can only do your best and try to enjoy these moments while you can.

I find myself living more in the future: planning, hoping and dreaming. I remind myself to take a break from thinking about the future and sometimes even the past. I need to embrace the right now. It's hard because I am not completely satisfied with where I am right now. I'm eager to be somewhere else and eager to be my future self. I have many plans and goals, as I should. My aspirations are countless, but they cast a shadow over my present life.

Having goals is an important thing, but enjoying my life as it is presently is more important. There are small steps before achieving many goals, some that take four years, others a few months. You are here. I'm taking the words and reminding myself. I'm thankful for the opportunities I have and the life I've been given. I am here at this point of my journey, and I am content with that.

This is one small step towards the rest of my life.