"Be thankful for what you have. You could have a lot less."

Goodbyes are a part of life, but that doesn't always mean they're easy.

Somebody at work left for greener pastures recently.

At his going away party, he said something that I'll remember for the rest of my life.

He said: "Be thankful for what you have. You could have a lot less."

It's short, simple, and to the point.

It's wonderful advice. I hope that message reached everyone who was in the room at the time.

Why was hearing those words so important to me?

I don't have a lot of material possessions at this point in my life. That has bothered me in the past, but right now I'm okay with it.

I'm going to take Pete's advice and give thanks for the many blessings I do have in my life.

The greatest thing I ever did for myself was finish my degree. I struggled to get there. Who, besides me, goes to three different schools in five years?

Finishing that degree led to every professional job I've had, and it's why I'm in the job I currently have.

I've been influenced by some really great leaders. I can't even describe how thankful I am to be surrounded by smart, talented people who care about the communities and the world they live in.

Yeah, when you finish college and get a 'real' job, you get a paycheck, contribute to a retirement account and get health insurance. Those are important things to have in life.

But it's more important to have people in your corner who believe in you and want you to succeed.

I've gone to Pete many times for advice, not only for work, but for life in general. He was always in my corner.

When life didn't work out or go as expected, he offered words of encouragement. Something better will happen to you, he said.

I believe him.

When my nieces were born early and in the hospital, he told me stories about his kids and the hospital visits when they were young. Those were nice stories to hear during a really stressful time. To his adult kids: He loves you and talks about you all the time.

I could say a lot more, but I think I'll stop there.

I may also need to find a tissue.

Ahem.

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There's something to be said about people who encourage you through tough times verses those people who criticize you through hard times.

I've learned a lot over the past year about how to treat people. I learned by example, by being fortunate enough to be around wonderful people.

Thank you, both to Pete and to others I've learned from.

My life is better because I met you.

Second favorite.

October is my second favorite month out of the year.

I love fall. I love seeing the trees change colors, I love fall football games, the spirit of homecoming, drinking hot apple cider and finally wearing long-sleeved shirts after a miserable summer.

And after a wet, cold and pretty awful time in Nebraska a few weeks ago, I'm excited to start wearing boots again. (I hope Nebraska wasn't offended by that comment.)

I've linked to this before on my blog, but I thought today would be a good time to post it again. I wrote this last October. It's probably my favorite thing I've ever written. I remember sitting in a coffee shop in a big(ish) city writing this.

I loved every minute of it.

Here's a link to the column.

It's kind of fun to think of what the past year has brought me, including the places I've traveled to, the things I've accomplished and conquered, and the things I've completely failed at doing.

I can't wait to see what the next year brings me. Hopefully it involves more travels, more great people, and a lot more laughter. Okay, I'm not going to lie. I want more beer, too.

Full disclaimer: Even though I love October, I really hate pumpkin flavored stuff. I had to make that loud and clear. It even deserves italics.

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Alumna shares advice with Southwestern students

I had my life planned out seven years ago.

I was finishing up at a community college and I was planning to transfer to a state university. I was set.

Then, life threw me a wonderful curveball. Once I made a campus visit to Southwestern and saw that beautiful building on top of the hill, that was it.

I knew I had to change my plans and go to school in Winfield.

If you’re a Southwestern student reading this, I need to talk to you. I have some advice that, if given to me a few years ago, could have saved me a few dollars, some sleepless nights and some heartache.

Here’s my advice to you.

You’re going to spend the rest of your life dodging those curveballs. It doesn’t matter what you have planned out, life will take you in another direction.

Let it.

I think you need to know that in the end, it’s all worth it. One day, a few years from now, you’ll look back and realize that you went through everything you did for a reason. If you try really hard and put your degree to good use, one day you’ll have a wonderful life.

You’ll have Southwestern to thank for that wonderful life that you love.

Tonight at sunset, sit on top of the 77 and watch the sun in all its glory. You’ll miss that and wish you did it more often when you move away from Winfield.

I also have some job advice for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. And don’t be afraid to leave a situation if you don’t like it. The best decisions I’ve ever made in my professional life have been leaving situations I’ve been unhappy with.

If you’re brave enough to leave, life will greet you with a wonderful new hello.

You have a wonderful gift. You get to decide how your life will go. You get to decide who to spend the rest of your life with, what city to live in, and what career you want to have.

Those are all big decisions to make. Time your time.

It’s been five years since my class finished college. We’ve gotten married, had children, advanced in our careers and have had some wonderful things happen in our lives.

Achieving all of those things is not easy.

It’s my hope that every single one of my classmates knows this, and I want to pass it onto you.

You might not know that sometimes life doesn’t work out. Sometimes you’ll break, and it’s okay if you do. Before that happens, surround yourself with people who don’t mind putting the pieces back together for you.

Sometimes you can’t do it yourself.

And the next time you’re walking around the Southwestern campus, take a look around. You have an amazing network of people who want to help you achieve your goals. Talk to professors after class. Ask about internships, jobs and part-time jobs. Ask students, too.

Jobs fizzle out, cities can change and friendships you make can fade. Don’t let go of your friends from home or your friends from college – they’ll be there when jobs and cities change.

And that student sitting next to you in class? That person could someday be your boss. Be nice to other students, and don’t be afraid to network with them if you’re looking for a job.

Trust me.

The most important piece of advice I can give you is this: Be confident. Aggressively seek what you want in life, and don’t ever settle until you get it.

You deserve it.

Monica Springer

Southwestern College, class of 2008