November 6: Thankful for my President!

November 6: Today I am thankful for my Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama. While standing on the bridge of the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, I was able to witness President Obama accept the charge to move this country forward for four more years.  Chills ran through my body as I looked into the crowd; such diversity!  I do believe President Obama has Americas best interest at heart heart; no matter your background.  Yes, times are and have been difficult for many, but it takes two.  WE have to do our part as well.  I look forward to another wonderful term with OUR First Family, The Obamas!

November 5: Thankful for my freedom

November 5: Today I am thankful for my freedom. On the eve of one of the most controversial presidential debates in American history, I have the pleasure of sitting in a Las Vegas conference room listening to astounding presentations on diversity & inclusion as it relates to faculty and staff at the university level.  I find myself often reflecting on the past. Not the past in reference to oppression, but in reference to my freedom. I am not one to fall victim to my circumstance, nor do I live in the past. However, I do acknowledge my past and I am proud of it. Many of my ancestors fought (literally) for MY right to vote and that is something that I do not take lightly. I am so thankful for my freedom. I am able to choose my own religion. I am able to choose who I date/marry. I am even able to cast my vote to help elect the President of the United States; that's huge to me. I am SO proud and SO thankful and I take every advantage of these opportunities. Although I am in Vegas, I did cast my absentee ballot. I hope each of you reading this will be at the polls tomorrow to exercise your right.  Our nation has come far, but we still have a lot of work to do. I am so blessed to be in my field of work. I can't change a person, but perhaps I can get he or she to look at things from a different perspective. 

What are you thankful for?

"Liberty and Justice for ALL"

November 4: Thankful for MSU

November 4: Today I'm thankful for my Alma Mater & my current place of employment, Mississippi State University. I've written a post on MSU before so I'll spare you the details. Click here if you would like to see the post. 

In August of 2006 I stepped foot on the best campus in the nation. I was a little uneasy as any normal freshman would be. I feared not being able to make friends. I feared not making the necessary grades needed to complete a degree. I feared failure. However, over the next 4 years that fear was completely erased. My tenure as a student at MSU was exceptional. I was giving unique opportunities that I will forever cherish. Upon my graduation in 2010, I moved to Jackson, MS to start my career. Little did I know, God had something else in store. In 2011 I applied for graduate school at MSU.  I was not admitted to the program because my GMAT score was not high enough. Devastated. Confused. Worried. Depressed. All these were feelings I felt after taking thr GMAT 2x and receiving thr same score both times. My family assured me that God had a plan and encouraged me to continue trusting in Him. In June 2012, I became the Recruitment, Retention, & Program Specialist for the Office of Diversity& Equity Programs at MSU.  I am now enrolled in the graduate school with hopes of obtaining a Master of Counseling Education with a emphasis in Student Affairs. Oh, did I mention im getting a second degree for free because I am an employee of the University? Ain't God good??  There is not a day that I take my job lightly or my position for granted. I am 24 years old and I work for the best institution in the nation. I've always wanted to work for a university but I had no idea it would be the university that is near and dear to my heart. Thank you God. 

You see, things do not always go as planned. Sometimes we have to be still and wait on God to place us where He wants us to be. If you're struggling with your next move, I encourage you to be still and wait on the Lord. Trust me, I know it is not easy but the reward is far greater. I am so thankful that I fully surrendered to God and let Him take control of my life. I'm happier than I've ever been. So, thank you God for 4 wonderful years as a student at MSU. Thank you for allowing me to start a career that I love with MSU. I promise to give you praise everyday for this amazing opportunity. 

What are you thankful for?

Xoxo T