What I Learned in 2017

As 2017 comes to a close, I could look back on a lot of positives and a lot of negatives, but in the grand scheme of things, I can happily look around me and notice how much I have to be thankful for. In 2017, I went to new places, tried new things, and learned about new topics.

Just to name a few "firsts", I went to Lake Havasu and learned to wake board, flew to Iowa with my roommates, joined a Bible study, declared my major as Public Relations at SMU, rushed Alpha Chi Omega and became VP of PR & Marketing, and created all the social media for this blog!

Of course I am proud of all these "firsts", but each of these achievements was thanks to other people's encouragement and loving company. The people I surrounded myself with made each experience 100 times more fun and stress free.

Regardless of what each day in 2017 brought me, I realized that the company I surrounded myself with would make or break every experience I encountered. That is why I have concluded that the most beneficial lesson I learned in 2017 is this: No matter how simple or difficult the day ahead may seem, surround yourself with positive, loving, encouraging people, and your day will be so much better than spending it alone, with negative people, or with strangers.

If people were strangers, I tried to become friends. If people were negative, I did my best to maintain positivity. If I was alone, I would try to use that time to call a loved one, or acknowledge God's beauty in things around me. Being someone that is easily affected by other people's moods and vibes, I have realized that it is always best to take each day as a new chance to have a good day, with good company, and I hope you do the same.

So as 2017 comes to a close, I wish you a Happy New Year, and I challenge you to reflect on which people provided you with good company throughout the year. Thank those people with a phone call or a text. If you have the time, plan another day together to start 2018 off as a year filled with good company.

Special thanks to Juliette Rose Photography for capturing the joy and laughter I received from a few of the people that provided me with good company in 2017.