I believe in the importance of living in the moment. It is hard to take advantage of today effectively while preoccupied with what may happen tomorrow. Growing up, I was always the girl with the plan. I knew exactly what I was going to do and how I was going to do it. Upon being accepted to The University of Texas at Austin, I figured nothing would be different. I was positive that I wanted to get my masters degree in nursing and become a nurse practitioner at a pediatric hospital. I planned on having a great social life on campus and easily mastering all of my classes. When I arrived in Austin, however, I was shell shocked and completely thrown out of my comfort zone. Never before had I been surrounded by so many unfamiliar faces and no close friends to confide in. I was unexpectedly shy, overwhelmed, and miserable. Every morning I awoke hoping the day would be over just as quickly as it had begun. Pretty soon, each day was diminished to simply a countdown to the time when I would able to return home again. Phone calls to my mother progressively became more cynical and filled with complaints. I allowed myself to get over stressed completely obsessed with getting perfect grades in order to fulfill the plans I had made for my life. One day, however, while on a bus to a grocery store, I had a brief encounter with someone who was able to change my outlook entirely. This person did not have much to call his own but seemed to be content and satisfied with his life. It was at that moment that I realized how selfish I was being. I was presented with a great opportunity to attend one of the best schools in Texas, and all I could do was complain. Instead of having an optimistic attitude and attempting to make the most out of my situation, I wasted weeks by making myself miserable. It is with this new found revelation that I embrace each day and search for each day’s purpose. I do not want to miss out on any second of life or what it throws at me. I believe in living every moment to it’s fullest.