Growth Through Appreciation

As the end of the year approaches, I'm looking back on 2014 and I am counting my blessings. This has been such a transitional year for me. In 2014 I turned 25, I graduated from college, and I started a new job. With this being said, I have much to be thankful for. The holidays are a time of atonement (regardless of your religious views), a time of family, and a time of thanks giving.

I went to church last week and the lesson I learned was growth through appreciation, this has prompted this blog post. With out getting too metaphysical, I will explain the take home message. The pastor said that we should not only be appreciative of the opportunities, the goods and services provided, but also be appreciative of the obstacles and challenges. For they facilitate growth and understanding the most. Its the obstacles and challenges that mold a persons character.

2014 was also the year I started blogging about my premed journey. I started this blog to be educational and informative.... But it has turned into so much more. Accepted.com runs an interview series with med school applicants and they loved my blog so much  they wanted to feature it. You can check it out here: http://blog.accepted.com/2014/12/15/meet-toni-an-optimistic-realistic-pre-med-with-a-solid-plan-b/ This opportunity will allow my blog to have a broader reach.

In the beginning of the year I  started a self love journey. I got the idea from Andrea Lewis a fellow blogger (http://missandrealewis.com ).

We as humans tend to be so hard on ourselves, without looking at the silver linings (this is said from personal experience). I realize that I needed to work on counting my blessings and treating myself better and that's how  this self love journey began. It entails taking some time once a month (on avg) to list my blessings. (I provided some below)

I am healthy - working in allied health care for 6 years I have witnessed and empathize with many sick patients which allows me to be grateful

Having a great relationship with my parents - working at st Marys Hospital for children I saw many children without parents.

Being more in touch with who I am-  is a blessing because I now know exactly what I need to succeed physically, mentally and socially.

This will be my last post in 2014. I want to thank you all for reading. See you all next year !