Tired

I'm flashing back to college today. I remember times when I was so tired that I couldn't force myself to stay awake in class. Well, not just class. I couldn't stay awake during movies, even ones in movie theatres. Today, I've been in meetings straight since 8 am. And I feel like this kid...

I recently had to update my resume (though by instructions of "not job search ready") and I started to wonder how do I qualify and quantify all that I do. I mean, I feel like my life has been much fuller in the past year. This is largely due to finding greater fulfillment inside and outside of my job. But, with all that I've added to my life, sometimes it just doesn't seem like I do enough. So, here's my philosophical delimma: how do you know when you matter? I'm not looking for affirmation that I do, in fact, make a difference. I rely on my faith that my efforts are not in vain. But, in chatting with a student who's having a faith battle, I started to wonder if my question really lies in wondering if others know that I'm making a difference. Do I only impact others if it's recognized and acknowledged by them?

I can't believe that my life is all about me. It's certainly not. I just don't know how to encourage others to not grow tired and give up.

Miss Teen USA contestant from South Carolina beats Michigan

By now, most of the world wonders about the educational system of South Carolina. From the times of my childhood when I could comprehend the news, I knew that South Carolina was near the bottom in states for the rankings of education. Then, a few weeks ago, this clip
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww&mode=related&search=). As my friend Khorey pointed out...how do you get from a geography question to Iraq and South Africa? Who knows. Anyway, Caitlin had the chance for redemption on the Today show.

And the rest of the story can be told in the words of Pat Forde:

"First came word via "The Today Show" of a recruiting coup for the little school in the North Carolina mountains. Caitlin Upton, the freshly famous Miss Teen South Carolina, whose dingbat answer to a beauty pageant question became an instant YouTube classic, told Matt Lauer she planned to attend Appalachian State. This might not have dazzled the academic folks on campus, but I guarantee the male students are stoked.

Including the football team, perhaps? Maybe Miss Upton's commitment was the final motivation for the Mountaineers to defrock college football's winningest program in America's largest stadium.

Remember the score: App. State 34, Michigan 32. "