50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind, Part 2

6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

Writing for pleasure, such as writing for this blog, feature pieces for magazines, and fiction. Writing is my number one passion and I couldn't last a day without it. Writing for this blog fills me with such joy and happiness, and being a part of this amazing community does the same.

I think I would also like to take trips around the United States and world to visit blog friends, because some of you are closer to me than my own real life friends.

7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

Hands down, I'm settling. I'm working at a job that's not really going to do much to further my career, other than helping me deal with stressful situations and instill work ethic. And I don't feel as if I put enough effort into school that I need to be. Every semester, I arm myself with notebooks and planners and the determination to make this one the Best One Yet and I never do. I become lazy around the fourth week and start settling for what is comfortable and familiar.

And while I don't know if I'm doing what I believe in at my internship, I am doing work that fulfills and challenges me. I feel happy each day I arrive and maintain that attitude throughout the day.

8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

First of all, how sad would life be if this were true? I wouldn't have my mom around or my grandparents or many of my mentors. Also, I would have less than 12 years to live! Eep! While I think I would still be concerned with school and writing, I would also want to live my life more freely. I wouldn't have to worry about saving for a long period of time or opening any time of investment.

I would be more concerned with settling down, though, and having kids. I would want as much time possible with them before I died.

9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

I think it's important for me to take responsibility and say I have controlled it a lot. (While yes, I do credit God for steering my ship, as well.) I'm the one who has made some bad decisions and good decisions. I chose education over journalism, prolonging my undergrad experience and putting me in situations I should never have been in. I let my dad walk all over me, until I finally had enough. I am the girl who strives to be someone people can count on and talk to.

Whose to say where the next 22 years will take me? I hope I still have a semblance of control over my life and can make good decisions and embrace the bad ones for the lessons they'll bring me.

10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

I am definitely more worried about doing the right things. I know everyone has a moral compass hidden deep within their layers and some of us choose to adhere to what it's telling us, others do not. Morally and ethically, I know what's right and I know what I need to do to keep my conscience clean and God proud of me. I know that feeling I get in the pit of my stomach when I do something wrong and I hate it.

I just know that I want to be known as a good person and someone who touched lives. I feel like I'm honoring and respecting myself more when I listen to my moral compass and do the right thing.