Grad School: Why Am I Doing This?

I’m currently in my third semester of graduate school at Grand Valley State University, and I frequently find myself questioning my rationale for going back to school. 

Like when I’m on my computer for three hours in the evening writing papers.
Or spending hours on a weekend going through piles of assigned reading.

Or sitting in class for three hours after a full day of work.
Or missing out on time with my friends because I have to study.

Graduate school is rough, so I am constantly reminding myself that it’s a short term sacrifice for long term gain. With my degree, I hope to advance my career and open up new opportunities. It can be fun at times, too. I’ve become friends with people who I may otherwise have never met, the topics are interesting, and I can find humor in drawn out class discussions.

Plus, these days I don’t hesitate to do my homework with a glass of wine by my side.

More importantly, I've realized that going back to school is a character builder. I’m learning to practice patience, kindness, and respect in moments when I don’t feel them. I’m trying to send vibes of Godly love towards classmates who drive me absolutely bonkers. I’m living in the moment - even if that moment is currently inside a cement block classroom.

Grad school is a challenge, but I know it will be worth it in the long run. Receiving my degree will be a sign of my growth both personally, professionally, and even spiritually. As Paul wrote to the Romans, perseverance pays off: 

"We rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us." Romans 5:3-5 (NIV).

It may be a tad extreme to liken grad school to "suffering," but it gets my point across. Oftentimes, we must do things we don't like to do in order to grow.

So I will continue on with my degree, and in approximately 15 months I will have a small piece of calligraphy to show for my suffering. But I'll have a lot of hope for my future, too.

The Treacherous and Exciting Adventures of Winter Running

Running outside in Michigan winters reminds me a lot of a Barbie Nintendo game I had as a kid. Laugh all you want, but it was the hardest game in our family’s collection. Not even my older brother and his video game savvy best friend couldn’t beat it.

The object of the game was to navigate Barbie through various scenes on several different kinds of transportation: in a convertible, on roller skates, or riding a bike. One of the levels took place at a ski resort. Barbie was on foot – wearing a pair of stylish boots, naturally – but her path was full of obstacles. She had to avoid patches of ice and snow, out of control skiers, and kids throwing snowballs at her face.

 

Running outside during a Michigan winter is a lot like that level from the game. You have to carefully navigate your feet around patches of ice, through slick patches of snow, and dodge the slush that passing cars throw in your direction.

It can be scary. Today when I was running, I couldn’t help but envision myself slipping while running on the shoulder of the road and falling on my face. That would be a bad day. But the snow on that part of the road is tricky and a fall isn’t that out of the question. It’s as difficult as running in sand but with an icy factor added. Just for fun. 

But even though the winter cold can intimidate me from venturing outside, I love these running days.

The world is so much quieter when it’s cold outside. I can go for miles and feel like the only person in the world. There are fewer people outside in their yards, fewer cars driving by, and less noise. I can completely lose myself in my breathing, the pace of my feet, and the music on my iPod. Today it was a shuffle mix of Switchfoot songs.

Plus it’s kind of fun to be the star of a Nintendo game.