I’m going to be brutally honest, and those that know me know that honesty is something I value most. I’ve always loved quotes: inspirational messages that remind me to “live the life I love, and love the life I live.”But, historically, I’ve always been that person that will hang them all over my room and send them to friends periodically, but never really take them to heart. I tend to see the motivational Pinterest quote and think, “yeah, maybe life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain. But unfortunately, dancing in the rain isn’t going to get me into the selective grad program that I’m pursuing, or land me a killer job post grad, or put me in a position to accomplish what I want to with my degree.” I’ve always been very task oriented and self motivated, a nicer way of saying I’m an over the top, obsessive, neurotic, perfectionist.

As a second semester junior that is finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, I can say with confidence that I have a lot of factual knowledge stored in my brain. I look back on my college career thus far and am bewildered by how much I’ve learned. The countless hours spent in the library and the exhausting 22-unit packed semesters have not been in vain. I am nearly fully equipped to leave this school next year as a contributing member to the field of psychology.

But, oddly enough, it’s not the knowledge that I attain in the classroom that’s impacted me the most. Rather, it’s the life skills that I’ve been forced to grasp as 20-year-old facing problems that even the most seasoned “real world” adults struggle with. In attempting to work through the earth shattering changes that have come about in the past year, I’ve learned that perspective is everything.

I’ve learned that it’s never a good idea to assume you’ve hit rock bottom, or that things can’t possibly get worse, because trust me- they can, and they will. But, in that I’ve learned that it’s ok not to be ok, and its ok to ask for help. A little dose of perspective helped me see that having my world come crashing down around me has given me, and continues to give me a greater capacity to empathize and walk alongside others who are trying to keep their head above the water too.

Growing in my faith has been a major struggle of mine since leaving my incredible alma mater, Valor Christian High School, a place that allowed me to spread my wings, and helped me see what I am capable of as a student, an athlete and a person. Unfortunately, since leaving those beautiful, safe, red brick walls, I hadn’t felt the fire and passion for the Lord that I did in my four years at Valor. But, with a little help from my dear friend perspective, I learned that there’s no better way to rekindle your faith than being knocked to your knees by life’s circumstances and realizing that God is the only one that can get you through.

Among other things, perspective has humbled me immensely over the past year. It’s shown me that no matter how determined, organized, and prepared I am, life is going to throw me curveballs that I can’t handle on my own. It’s taken me from a place of believing wholeheartedly that my toughest obstacle would be getting a B in school or having to red shirt my sophomore year of collegiate soccer due to a completely blown out knee, to a place where, less than a year later, school and soccer are the least of my worries.

Thanks to a couple minor shifts in perspective, I’d like to think I’ve matured quite a bit over the past year. One year ago -- 365 days ago -- I did not have the ability to appreciate 6 a.m. Crossfit sessions with my team -- or the entirety of spring soccer season for that matter. But as a result of the changes I’ve experienced this year, I look forward to the brutal fitness sessions, weight trainings and even the practices where I know we won’t be touching soccer balls because those 27 girls have become the family I’ve needed so desperately.

A year ago, you would have seen me yawning my way through or maybe even sleeping through the chapel services that I am required to attend three times a week. But perspective has revealed to me that I am blessed beyond comprehension to have the privilege of attending a university that supports its students in their walks with the Lord.

Never ever in my academic career would you have found me anywhere but buried in books after practice(s). But thanks to good old perspective, this semester has been a little different. I don’t feel (as) guilty about watching Bachelor with my roommates on Mondays, or going on spontaneous froyo runs, or taking a step away from life to go on a 12-mile run with a best friend. Perspective taught me that these are the things that really matter. In 10 years, I’m not going to look back and wish I spent a couple more hours on that paper. I’m going to wish I had cared a little less about the grade I got in research methods and invested a little more in the incredible people around me.

So, to come full circle, for all the perfectionists out there, constantly running themselves into the ground to be the best that they can be at everything that they do, consider taking a quick pause and allowing my good friend perspective to take you for a ride. Is it worth missing out on school activities, adventures with friends, and life changing opportunities to get the A or to have that resume filler in your name? A year ago I would have said absolutely yes. But today, my answer to that question is quite different. Today, I’m going to take a drive down PCH and run on the beach because that makes me happy. Today, I’m not going to stress about my research proposal; I’m going to watch "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" with my roommates. Today, I’m going to take a healthy dose of perspective and focus on what really matters in the grand scheme of things. Today, I’m going to take the wise words of Lee Brice to heart and “be a best friend, tell the truth and overuse ‘I Love You.’ I’ll go to work, do my best and I won't outsmart my common sense. I’ll try to never let my praying knees get lazy, and I’ll love like crazy."