Love Fran

As I prepare to move into a new chapter of my life, I realize that I have grown tremendously since the beginning of the year and even more since just April. I have experienced everything from graduating from college and traveling the world to heartbreak and having to say goodbye to my first group of students. I have learned that growth and movement are the hardest things in the world to actually go through, but it’s a necessary evil. I did not imagine leaving college and transitioning into the real world to be as emotionally hard as it has been for me.

I have seen many things in the places that I visited since graduation (New York, London, Paris, Rome, Vatican City); some of which made me appreciate life like the love and beauty exhibited in Paris and the different people around the globe, and other things that caused my heart to be extremely heavy like the city beggars in Rome and the attitudes of some towards Americans. All of my experiences have contributed to this reflection. I’ve asked myself three questions: 1) Who am I? 2) Where am I going? 3) How am I planning to get there? Here goes!

1) Who am I? – I am an African-American, twenty-two year old, college graduate. I am the mother of an incredibly brilliant six year old who recently graduated from kindergarten. Yayy!! I am a teacher, or at least that’s what my Bachelor’s of Science in Education qualifies me to be. It means I am certified to teach six through twelfth grade English, journalism, communications, and theater. I have a huge family and an even larger heart. I value life and appreciate personal growth, change when necessary, and the acquisition of knowledge. Everything that I’ve seen and experienced in my twenty-two years has molded and shaped me into this person.

2) Where am I going? – The next chapter consist of raising my son to be the best that he can be, showing my family just how much they mean to me everyday, getting my master’s degree and later my doctorate, involving myself in the lives of my future students via Teach For America in Alabama, maintaining positive friendships, and continuing to grow and learn as much as I can to be better than I am now.

3) How am I planning to get there? – Road map: My map or plan to get to the “finish line” of my next chapter consist of first and foremost, keeping God first in everything that I do. My favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 and it reads “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I believe God has a cake plate cover over me because in every situation where I normally think something strange or bad is going to happen to me, it never does. God is covering me and protecting me and I can honestly feel it. Next, I’m putting all my time and energy into my son, my family, and my classroom. I cannot exhaust energy in places and circles that do not add value to my life. Lastly, I’m planning to stay focused and strong in my pursuit of all that God has for me and my son. I know for a fact that He is doing His part, and I’m definitely planning to put in the work to do mine.

Need a better perspective on your life and where it’s headed? Ask yourself those three questions: 1) Who am I? 2) Where am I going? 3) How am I planning to get there? It will definitely add a much more focused perspective.

Have a great day!