I don't know about you, but this semester has been busier and crazier than I ever expected. If you told me in August how a lot of things in my life were going to happen, I certainly would've hoped you were joking. This year has given me a lot of twists and turns from what I expected, but the unpredictability of life is the fun part.
    I have a plan for how tomorrow is going to go, but none of us have any idea the path we'll be led down next. The quote above is from author Brianna Wiest, and what I love about it the most is, "it is not your business to control every detail." So, I do sit and cry and complain about things that are out of control, but the best and most calming reminder is that the plan for my life is not something I'll ever be able to even guess. Would it be nice sometimes to have a perfectly predictable life? Absolutely, but uncertainty pushes us out of our comfort zone and provides us with endless possibilities that are probably better than what we ever could imagine.



"Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created."       - Esther 4:14
Mary Grace D'Antonio
(photo from @BriannaWiest on Instagram)

    Saying yes can be easy to come out of our mouths, but saying yes to too many things at once does not make things easy on ourselves. Being this far into the school year, you might be realizing you have said yes to more things than you can get done or put full effort into. Classes are starting to have tests, campaign week is coming up, and I know I am already beginning to feel a little overwhelmed by what's on my plate. Spreading ourselves too thin in this way can cause us to not only disappoint ourselves, but disappoint the people we promised yes.
    Being intentional with what you say yes to will be so beneficial for you and those around you. It is always okay to say no when you feel you are about to bite off more than you can chew. You'll be much happier with what's on your to-do list, and you'll be able to pour yourself fully into your work. I hope this week you accomplish everything you need to get done, and you feel joyful and confident in everything you do!



If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.       - John 15:7
Mary Grace D'Antonio
​(photo from @morganharpernichols on Instagram)

    I hope you had a great first week of school!

    With a new school year starting, I know some of us might be feeling out of routine and dealing with a lot of change right now. I want to start this school year with a reminder that you are not alone! You have a community of people here in Panhellenic and at Auburn that are in the same boat as you, and everyone is willing to build you up from wherever you are. The family I have created here constantly reminds me of that, and encouragement from your people is so important at the start of this new chapter!

    I am so excited we are all back together on campus, and I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for us! Please feel free leave me prayer requests or contact me if you ever need anything!



This is my command - Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.    - Joshua 1:7-9
Mary Grace D'Antonio
(photo from @scribbledevos on Instagram)

    I feel like right now, many of us are waiting for a lot of different things to happen soon. Some of us may be waiting for graduation, registration time for our next semester classes, or just for summer to be here already. This week, I want to point out the importance of these times of waiting. For many people these times can cause a lot of anxiety and worry for what is to come. However, sometimes we need to be reminded that these seasons of life can be the perfect time for an abundance of gratitude for how far we've come and what is left to come.
    While you might be waiting for this semester to end, try not wish it away too soon. Think about the things you've learned this year, the ways you've grown, and the good times you've had despite this year being far from normal. People always use the quote, "I wish there was a way to know when you're in the good ole days before you've actually left them," and this kind of season is the perfect time to reflect on that. Have gratitude for the season of life you're in because we are all here for a reason, and everything will fall into place just as it is supposed to. Live for today, and be thankful for it.



Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.    - Proverbs 27:1
Mary Grace D'Antonio
(photo from @morganharpernichols on Instagram)

    We are halfway through the week and about to start a new month! This is the perfect time to set some new goals and plans into action. If you're in need of some motivation to remember to finish the year strong, here it is. Don't stop until you're proud. You've come so far this year, and now we only have one month left of the school year! Feel free to send me any prayers requests you need to get through this season. I'm so proud of you!




Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your word.   -  Psalms 119:37
Mary Grace D'Antonio
​(photo from Pinterest)

    Just today alone I have probably scrolled through countless Instagram accounts, Pinterest pictures, and even Tik Toks of people who I could only dream of being like. From the moment we grab our phones in the morning to when we lay them down at night, social media presents us with images and videos of mostly only the perfect parts of someone's life. We are all very aware that what others post is only the good and happy parts of their day, and we are all probably guilty of doing the same thing. 
    Since International Women's day just passed, comparing ourselves to other women is something I wanted to discuss this week. We compare the good, bad, and even mediocre parts of our lives to only the "perfect" parts of other's. This is not a fair comparison for us to make, and it can cause unhealthy relationships between a lot of women today. The only fair comparison we can make is said very well in this quote, "Only compare yourself to your previous self, no one else." When we compare where we started to where we are now, we see an accurate representation of how much we have grown. This is much healthier than a comparison to someone else where we see a twisted and unrealistic idea of where we think we should be. 
    Each one of us knows that we are not perfect. Instead of trying to pretend and comparing our happiness with other's, let's remind each other to not be discouraged when we believe we fall short and continuously build each other up.



I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.    - Psalm 139:14
​Mary Grace D'Antonio 
(photo from @wetheurban on Instagram)

     Since my classes have all just finished having their first tests, I'm hopefully not alone in saying I'm not feeling my greatest after the past few weeks.  I know it's a little cliche now, but I personally needed the reminder that grades do not define your worth. I could go through an endless list of different numbers and material things that you may also feel define your worth. I'm here to remind you that they don't. They never will. 
    We have all been told that so many times, but we still let grades and scores affect how we view ourselves. I want to be your reminder this week that you're worthy no matter the mistakes you may have made in the past. No bad grade, interview, or anything is able to change that. You are capable of doing amazing things! If you need it this week, continue to remind yourself through self affirmations, different bible verses & quotes, or even a sticky note somewhere that you are and always have been worthy of love. 



Be the light.   - Matthew 5:14
Mary Grace D'Antonio
​(picture from @morganharpernichols on Instagram)

    Worrying is something that comes very natural to us. It seems we're always stressed about something, whether it be for an upcoming test, an interview, or the overload of managing school and a social life at the same time. Everyone feels the weight of the world on their shoulders some days. It's hard for us to face a future that we cannot see or control, and I know that on some occasions no amount of planning or encouragement can help us create the future we desperately desire.
    Peace and contentment are not things that come naturally or easily for us. However, this week I want to remind you that everything that is consuming your thoughts right now will end up how it is supposed to. You have come so far already, and everything you have worried about before now had brought you to where you are today. There will always be unknowns and unexpected turns in our plans. Have faith in yourself that you have made it to this point for a reason, and you will overcome it.
    "Even when we can't control the situation around us, we can always choose where we're directing our attention." This week instead of focusing on your worries, try to remind yourself these are opportunities for growth. If no one else has told you, I have so much faith in you!



​
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not overcome it.  - John 1:5
Mary Grace D'Antonio
​(photo from Pinterest)

    "Treat others the way you want to be treated" is a message that was probably written on a poster in your elementary school classroom, yet seems to be so easily forgotten as we've gotten older. As we go through our own seasons, problems, and challenges that come with age, we become so focused about ourselves that we rarely pay attention to what is happening in the people around us. Truly, what has been weighing on my mind recently is why do we always seem to forget when we treat others with kindness and respect, those same things will come back to us? 
    Jesus tells us that above all other things love one another as we love ourselves. When you are praying to Him for things like gentleness and patience for yourself, try and remember to pray for those same things for the people in your life. When we pray for others, God's kindness is being reflected through us. More often than not, the people around us need that strength and kindness more than we know.
    When you treat others with generosity and selflessness, those same blessings seem to flow back into our own lives. You don't have any idea what the people around you are going through. The world we live in right now is filled with so much judgement and selfishness and not enough thoughtfulness. I believe the message we were so strongly taught as children, treat people the way you want to be treated, is something we all could try to remind ourselves to do in our lives today!



Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  - 1 Peter: 4-8
Mary Grace D'Antonio
(picture from @thehoneydesignco on Instagram)

​

    I am so proud of you! You made it through your first week back at school! I hope your classes are motivating you to get back into a routine this semester (even if still over zoom.) However, if this week was more difficult for you than you thought, I'm rooting for you! Coming back to school, work, and online meetings is no easy task. Doing the very best you can in the moment, even if it's not as good as you originally hoped, is always enough.
    If you need someone to be praying for you in this transition back to school, please feel free to leave me a prayer request at anytime!!



But the Lord stood with me & gave me strength.  - 2 Timothy 4:17
Mary Grace D'Antonio
(picture from @jacquelinewhitney_ on Instagram)