1. Accomplishment

Today I worked.
Not for a salary.
Not for a reward.
But for the joy of accomplishment.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is the value of accomplishing something from start to finish. Today I gardened. I planted a flower, and straightened up some ferns. I was impressed with how much I had done by myself in only one hour. The area had received a much-needed face lift and I had a spring to my step. Three wheelbarrows later and I felt my work was done.

Having an appreciation for work shows a lot about someone's character. Realizing how intrinsically rewarding the art of work is certainly proves to be a valuable lesson for every individual. I am grateful that I have learned this early so that I can continue to find joy in working and making the most of my time and energy.

I know that when I am looking for a friend or determining if someone's character aligns well with mine one of the first things I notice is work ethic. Seeing myself as a relatively hard worker (but not in an obsessive way) I enjoy a friend who shares this mentality, to me it says "I want to have fun and I am not afraid to work a little for it" this may mean planing a trip to Costa Rica together and taking the time to look up foreign cities and hostels--all the while knowing how rewarding that work will be in the end.

Today one of my silver linings was being able to ignore my aching legs and focus on the change that I was making in the lives of those plants and in my own. I walked away from that patch of garden feeling renewed and ready for whatever life had to throw at me.