I know I've written about this topic before (see: Blueprint of Life), but I felt it was something that has continued to play a part of a lot of recent conversations I've had with friends - particularly girl friends. There's always this so-called stigma that we must follow -- the blueprint for life. You know; go to college and get your degree, get a steady full-time job (extra points if you're actually utilizing your major), get engaged by 27, married by 28, throw in a new house, have a few kiddos, and live happily every after. It's actually BS. I've always been a little stressed out thinking about where I fit into all this. I've crossed off graduating from college and have a full-time job where I'm actually using my communication / public relations degree, but am I really on 'track' to fulfilling the rest? I worry. My friends worry. It's inevitable to stress out about where you fit into the full picture.

I'll admit, I'm guilty for feeling like I'm lagging behind - maybe not quite fitting into the 'blueprint of life' that society throws at us, but ya know what? I don't care. As much as I've talked about it with girl friends, I know that I'm making my own path. Maybe it's not necessarily the one that society has dubbed 'normal' (what the hell is normal, anyway?), but I'm pretty happy about where I am. It's way too simple to get caught up in the future and not be present in the moment. 

It's quite easy to feel like you're not on 'track', but ya know what? I'd rather be happy where I am, to savor the present, and to know that I am exactly right where I need to be. And for that I am grateful.