As I am almost halfway through my last semester of my undergraduate career, I am slowly starting to feel more confident about going out into the world. I have gained more insight, especially in these last few months, that has given me so much hope and joy about my future.

Majority of the time, when we are in our cars driving to a destination, whether it is a fifteen minute driven or three hour car ride, we sometimes arrive at the destination and struggle to remember the drive there. We tend to stay within our comfort zones and live life the same day after day, until we become bored and unaware how much we are missing out on capturing the simplest and most beautiful things.

When we walk from our car in the parking lot, and into a store, something we tend to do is look at our phones. We want to see the latest pictures and what everyone is doing on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. It is okay to check your phone and to be on it, but if we are constantly looking at what other people are up to, then how can we possibly notice the beautiful old lady sitting on the bench, finding the joy in watching people go by. How can we notice the homeless man standing in the corner, just waiting for someone to smile at them. Did we even notice that selfless mother who is holding her three year old daughter, holding her four year old boy's hand, and pushing her five year old son in the cart?

Last week, I conversed with a woman who I have seen a lot before, I would always smile at her and she would smile at me in passing. This time, I said "Happy Valentine's Day," and she said the same. We started talking about Valentine's Day and our plans for the evening- I soon came to find out that she was a widow. She seemed to be so happy and thankful that someone had smiled at her and talked with her. On this day of love, when many people take it for granted, we should live and act like every day is Valentine's Day. We should be grateful for having parents who love us so much. We should be grateful for being able to have someone to love. Something so small, yet so meaningful was that five minute conversation that I began.

Each new day is about waking up with a positive mindset, and working towards reaching your goals and your dreams. Letting God guide you to smell the roses somewhere new is sometimes the greatest blessing you could ask for. Sometimes we slowly start to open up our eyes and smell the roses, but we stick to staying in one garden.

There is so much to soak up and take in during those twenty four hours each and every new day. Sometimes we just have to shift our perspective and look at life in many different ways.