June 2019
I choose to live by gratitude. In a world where the comparison game capitalizes on our need for what we do not have, it can be easy to forget what we do have.
My life story begins in Canada with my family. When I was nine years old, my family packed up everything we had and took a one-way flight to Dallas, Texas where my dad would start a new job. I remember saying goodbye to all my extended family and friends; the permanence of the move had not hit me yet. I was not sure how moving over a thousand miles away would turn out; the only way to know how something will go is to go.
Now, when people ask me about my story, I tell them I was born in Canada, but I grew up in Texas. Life here introduced me to the hype and camaraderie of American football, Chick-fil-A spicy chicken sandwiches, the “y’all” lifestyle, and the Spirit of Aggieland. I learned about our nation’s history, our American principles, and the value of freedom. Not only have I encountered experiences and stories, but I have seen the power of family. The relationships we build are strongest when we stick together, know when to support, when to listen, and when to come back home.
This past January, I stood next to my dad and took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States to become a citizen. I remembered the peaks, the valleys, and the in-betweens of my life so far. Every day may not have been monumental, but those pivotal experiences and people remind me to say “thanks” because I would not be who I am or where I am without them. My everyday routines, the really big deals, even the little things--I don’t have to do it all. I get to do it. I get to wake up for my 8 am class and jumpstart my day. I get to complete my undergraduate and master’s degrees in four years. I get to live with amazing, intentional, and encouraging roommates. I get to learn, be challenged to think deeper, and to understand the “why” in my classes.
Say “thanks” more often and count your blessings, as is the old saying. I believe there is always something to be grateful for--that acknowledgement is what can keep us grounded in remembering what is truly important.
---Lauren Abiog
Lauren Abiog is a Masters student in Mays Business School
My life story begins in Canada with my family. When I was nine years old, my family packed up everything we had and took a one-way flight to Dallas, Texas where my dad would start a new job. I remember saying goodbye to all my extended family and friends; the permanence of the move had not hit me yet. I was not sure how moving over a thousand miles away would turn out; the only way to know how something will go is to go.
Now, when people ask me about my story, I tell them I was born in Canada, but I grew up in Texas. Life here introduced me to the hype and camaraderie of American football, Chick-fil-A spicy chicken sandwiches, the “y’all” lifestyle, and the Spirit of Aggieland. I learned about our nation’s history, our American principles, and the value of freedom. Not only have I encountered experiences and stories, but I have seen the power of family. The relationships we build are strongest when we stick together, know when to support, when to listen, and when to come back home.
This past January, I stood next to my dad and took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States to become a citizen. I remembered the peaks, the valleys, and the in-betweens of my life so far. Every day may not have been monumental, but those pivotal experiences and people remind me to say “thanks” because I would not be who I am or where I am without them. My everyday routines, the really big deals, even the little things--I don’t have to do it all. I get to do it. I get to wake up for my 8 am class and jumpstart my day. I get to complete my undergraduate and master’s degrees in four years. I get to live with amazing, intentional, and encouraging roommates. I get to learn, be challenged to think deeper, and to understand the “why” in my classes.
Say “thanks” more often and count your blessings, as is the old saying. I believe there is always something to be grateful for--that acknowledgement is what can keep us grounded in remembering what is truly important.
---Lauren Abiog
Lauren Abiog is a Masters student in Mays Business School