Here or There?...Here.

JUST A SMALL TOWN GIRL....

That's me! Just a Canadian (Eh?) girl making her way in the world.
Lately people have been asking me..."Hey Rachel! Is it different for you here in the city? Don't you miss the quiet farm? Aren't you homesick at all?"
I think it over.
I love Canada...Family...Familiar faces...The prairie wind blowing through my hair...The brilliant expanse of stars sparkling in the open night sky, daring me to think on the eternities...paired with the occasional mystery of the Northern Lights weaving colour through the darkness...

Yes I do love Canada. But do I miss it there?

Not at all.
 
Not that I'm not fond of the place. I am! But living here, learning here, and finally having the chance to kick-start my life of independence? There is nowhere else I'd rather be!

What amazes me about BYU is the sheer amount of diversity. As a Canadian farm girl, it is fascinating to see so many different people with different perspectives, backgrounds, ambitions, knowledge and talent! I love it, but at the same time I think that it would be, and it is easy to become overwhelmed, or even to become reserved in areas such as sharing individual talents, because of the sheer amount of others in our surroundings that are extremely talented.

In this case, for myself and for others that may feel similar, I believe it is vitally important to focus on becoming the best you can personally be, instead of constantly comparing yourself to others. I know this to be true, and I believe that it's easier to be happy if followed! We are all blessed with a diversity of individual gifts and talents. (See Matthew 25) So don't be afraid. Develop your talents. Share your talents. Strive to be the best you can be. Grow. Learn. Don't be afraid of failure! Overcome trials. Be Happy. :)

And for those at BYU, remember...No matter much diversity there is around us, there is one thing that remains as a consistent bond between us all, and that is the Gospel, and who we are and what we stand for because of it.

And that, my friends, is what I love about BYU the most.