The very best gift I have ever received from anyone was a bag of groceries, and to this day I donÆt know who gave it to me. It was not just any bag of groceries, however, it was the gift of hope. At the time I was working and going to school full time. I had used up any savings I had on tuition, so my paycheck needed to cover books and lab supplies as well as rent and other necessities. Yet, there was also the time crunch involved in trying to attend all my classes, work, and make time for homework, papers, laundry and groceries. My performance at work and at school suffered as a result and neither my boss nor my instructors were pleased with this.
One particularly difficult month my boss and I discussed the fact that my work performance had declined, and he suggested I try cutting my hours to half-time until I could lighten my course load a little. I knew he was right, but I was nervous about the loss in income. I was going to have cut back on even more of my expenses and groceries ended up being one of those expenses I put off until the absolute last minute, hoping they'd last just a little bit longer. One day, though, I came home to find a bag of groceries on my doorstep. They were just basic staples, such as rice, beans, and canned goods, but it was enough to tide me over for the next couple of weeks and I desperately needed that. The best part of the gift, however, was the note attached to the paper bag. It read, ôDonÆt give up. Things will get better one day at a time.ö That was the best gift I ever received.
I still have that note. ItÆs tacked up on my bulletin board and when things get rough I just look up at that note and remind myself that things will get better û one day at a time.
Question 2: If there was one piece of advice that I could give you as you graduate and enter the wide world it would be to work hard, play hard and experience and learn as much as you can. I know, that seems more li...