A Single Reflection
Column by Eileen Hershberger

A brand New year stretches before us. 365 days of limitless possibilities and opportunities to grow and become the women God has called us to be. And yet, some of us look at a new year with trepidation, thinking that little will change and so why even entertain the hope of new possibilities and opportunities. We singles, at times, can be a pessimistic bunch. It becomes easier and easier to only be involved in our own individual lives and not really care too much about the world around us. We want to be engaged and have fulfilled lives but are quite unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to have such a life. We would rather not have our neat little routines clogged with the stuff of other people’s lives. Because when you are engaged in healthy friendships and relationships, the messy parts of their lives will spill into ours and vice versa. Life is messy and there is no way around the fact that everyone has baggage of one sort or the other. You cannot live life in a neat, little orderly way when you are actively involved and/or engaged with others.

My challenge to you as a single person for this New Year is to make an effort to let the messy stuff of life in the world around you splash into your neat and orderly little world. Make an effort to not be selfish and worry so much about yourself and your problems, but reach out to those people God puts in your path every day. There are many hurting people around us and we are so caught up in our own little dramas of 'poor me’, that we miss heaven sent opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of others. Be willing to take a risk. Reach out to those around you. Do something you have always wanted to do. Live a little and always, always keep your eyes open for those heaven sent moments. They, in the end, will be the avenue of possibility and opportunity for the next 365 days.

About the Author: Eileen Hershberger is a full-time student pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education, and a part-time server. She enjoys reading, music, travel and baseball when not working or studying.

© 2008 Eileen Hershberger.